The former head of the National Police, Rodolfo Palomino, was convicted of taking part in the capture of Cordoba businessman Luis Gonzalo Gallo.
Sources used by Colombian media EL COLOMBIANO has announced that retired general Rodolfo Palomino’s guilty verdict would be issued by the Supreme Court of Justice’s First Instance Chamber next Thursday, August 14, at 2:00 p.m local time.
The verdict will be read by the case’s rapporteur, Judge Jorge Emilio Vera. After the sentence is delivered, the sentencing phase will proceed, during which it will be decided if Palomino will be sentenced to jail or another punishment.
The former director of the National Police was found guilty of influence peddling as a public official. The ruling is based on evidence that shows his inappropriate role in obstructing the apprehension of Cordoba businessman Luis Gonzalo Gallo.
The Court determined that the previous police director’s conduct violated his duty and attempted to tamper with an existing legal procedure.
Former Córdoba Livestock Fund Board member Luis Gonzalo Gallo is under investigation for allegedly purchasing over 100 properties stolen by brothers Carlos and Vicente Castaño, founders of the United Self-defence Forces of Colombia (AUC). The Attorney General’s Office is investigating him for criminal conspiracy and land theft in Córdoba’s Tulapas area.
In 2014, prosecutor Sonia Lucero Velázquez ordered his arrest as part of this investigation. According to the case file, Rodolfo Palomino visited the prosecutor’s home to make a proposal to stop the businessman’s arrest. During the conversation, Palomino highlighted Gallo’s alleged closeness to former presidents and high-ranking international officials.
The meeting was recorded by prosecutor Velázquez, who considered the visit by the then-police director to be irregular. In the audio, Palomino suggests that the arrest would have serious repercussions and mentions authorities such as the then-Attorney General, Eduardo Montealegre , and the Minister of Defense, Juan Carlos Pinzón.
Prosecutor Velázquez told the Court that she instantly rejected the plan and warned that it was illegal behaviour. The Trial Chamber considered the testimony believable and endorsed the tape, which was allowed as acceptable evidence.
The Supreme Court concluded that Palomino directly intervened in Gallo’s arrest. The top court found it “unusual” for the then-director of police to personally visit the residence of a prosecutor in a criminal inquiry.
The verdict was based on evidence given by the Prosecutor’s Office, which included a tape of the discussion and testimony from a court officer. According to the Court, these facts show that Palomino attempted to influence the prosecutor’s judgements through his high-level political ties.
Although the Attorney General’s Office urged that the retired general be acquitted, saying that there was no clearly demonstrated abuse of authority, the court ruled in favour of the Prosecutor’s Office.
The Court determined that the activity constituted influence peddling since there was an attempt to persuade a competent authority to modify the course of a judicial action.
