Friday, March 9, 2018

Colombia arrests healthcare executive Carlos Palacino over huge heist

Prosecutors arrested the former director of a private healthcare intermediary over the embezzlement of more than $105 million in health funds. The arrest of former Saludcoop director Carlos Palacino came after criminal investigations into the many healthcare-related heists that have bled Colombia’s healthcare system dry.
Palacino led SaluudCoop, the country’s largest private healthcare intermediate, since 1995. The illegally obtained funds were also given to Congress, where senators and house representatives received exorbitant campaign donations from Saludcoop.

The president’s former campaign manager, Roberto Prieto, reportedly received almost $1 million in contracts from the company.