New graft probe is 1st to target Guatemala 1st lady

GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemalan prosecutors have opened an investigation into first Lady Patricia Marroquin de Morales related to apparently unreported campaign checks during President Jimmy Morales’ election bid.

The announcement follows an investigative report by El Periodico that found that in 2015, an official with Morales’ party issued four checks for about $32,000. Two were in Morales’ name, and two in Marroquin’s worth about $13,000.

Chief prosecutor Consuelo Porras confirmed in a Friday news conference that Marroquin is being investigated for possible corruption.

The probe will seek to determine if the funds were used for political purposes. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal purportedly has no record of the money.

Presidential spokesman Alfredo Brito said Morales’ office has “always been respectful of the institutions of justice” and will be monitoring the course of the investigation.

The Associated Press

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