Colombia Finance Chief Denies Wrongdoing in Embezzlement Scandal.

Embezzlement; Emergency management; Public officers; Whistleblowing

Colombian finance minister Ricardo Bonilla has denied any wrongdoing and stated that he will not resign after being mentioned in an embezzlement probe. Bonilla has requested that prosecutors allow him to demonstrate that he was not involved in corruption with former officials at the government's risk management agency. Although prosecutors have not formally accused Bonilla of any crime, a prosecutor stated in a hearing that the top two officials at the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management had coordinated with Bonilla to redirect public funds for certain municipalities. President Gustavo Petro has expressed his belief in Bonilla's innocence. [Extracted from the article]

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