Former Assemblyman and two court officials sentenced in Guayas judiciary ‘Purge Case’ scandal

The National Court of Justice on Monday sentenced former Assemblyman Pablo Muentes, a judge and the former president of the Guayas Province Courts office to 13 years in prison. The three were convicted of an elaborate scheme that involved bribing judges for favorable rulings for gang and drug cartel members.

Former Assemblyman Pablo Muentes

According to testimony, Muentes controlled almost all aspects of the Guayas court system and received an estimated $2.3 million for his services.

The former president of the Guayas Provincial Court, Fabiola Gallardo, and Judge Johann Marfetán were sentenced to 13 years in prison in what prosecutors called the Purge Case.

In addition to the scandal’s “ringleaders,” the court handed out nine-year sentences to five others named as “collaborators” in the case. Two other defendants who cooperated with the investigation, received one-year sentences.

The court fined Muentes, Gallardo and Marfetán $18,800 while the five collaborators were ordered to pay $9,400.