The Artigas Municipality remains at the center of controversy regarding his line of succession, even after the resignation of Pablo Caram to his position in front of the commune and his disqualification – along with that of the former deputy Valentina Dos Santos— by the Electoral Court to hold public office. Now, the notary Elita Volpi, who should assume departmental authority, is investigated for fraud, while from the Colorado Party They begin to relaunch the project that the income to the municipalities be by competition.
The controversy in Artigas is far from being resolved, and everything indicates that it will continue to be turbulent for some time to come; or at least, the effects generated around the overtime scandal will continue to stir political waters.
Another “mayor” investigated by the courts
The biggest concern revolves around who will take over as the new mayor of Artigas after the resignation of Caram, the notary Elita Volpi: The official is being investigated by the Justice for a scam millionaire to a rancher of Brazil.
Considering that the Departmental Board The session took place on Monday night to define the successor of Caram – who was originally next in line Augusto Rodriguez, who died in 2022—, the news that Volpi may have a fleeting stint in the Mayor’s chair, leaving office after a new scandal, could be counterproductive.
In any case, the president of the Board, the nationalist councilor Nelton Barreda, He explained that the Legal Department of the Departmental Board He said that Volpi is qualified to hold the position since she has not been convicted, so her situation is not the same as that of Caram and Dos Santos.
The notary had already served as interim mayor during Caram’s leave.
The debate on municipal competitions returns
Meanwhile, the Colorado Party sees the scandal in the Artigas Municipality as the perfect opportunity to relaunch the project of the deceased senator. Adrian Pena regarding entry by competition to the municipalities.
“This shameful event highlights the need to limit the power of mayors,” said the Colorado deputy. Felipe Schipani, from the corruption cases that ended in the conviction of Caram and Dos Santos. “Many times they act as the real owners of the department’s mayor’s office, as feudal lords”, he told Telemundo.
With these facts as a backdrop, the Executive Committee of the Colorado Party Schipani once again proposed giving Peña’s project a parliamentary procedure. “The entry by competition is very important because the discretion to provide work is one of the tools that in this case was used to obtain an undue benefit,” said Schipani.
Finally, he reiterated that it seems “appropriate” to him that the issue be discussed again “because transparency must be provided to the departmental governments.”
The disqualification of Caram and Dos Santos
On Monday, the Electoral Court decided to disqualify the civic registrations of the mayor of Artigas Pablo Caram and his niece, the former deputy of National Party (PN)Valentina Dos Santos, to hold public office during the time they were sentenced in the context of the overtime scandal.
The decision was unanimous from the sentence 14 months in prison with probation for the now former mayor for “failure of a public official to report irregularities” in the assignment and payment of overtime; and six months with probation for “usurpation of functions” in the Mayor’s Office for Dos Santos.
Following the decision of the Electoral Court, the president of the Departmental Board of Artigas, Barreda, ordered an extraordinary session at 9:00 p.m. to discuss Caram’s resignation, which he submitted after the official resolution.
Before the Electoral Court announced his disqualification, Caram had planned to resign as Mayor and run for deputy, something that upset the ranks of the National Party, where they are currently considering his expulsion.
Source: Ambito
