Guatemala arrests 4 current, ex-lawmakers in corruption case

GUATEMALA CITY – Four current and former Guatemalan lawmakers have been detained on suspicion of selling phantom jobs in congress.

Prosecutors say lawmakers Cesar Fajardo and Manuel Marcelino Garcia Chuta were taken into custody as well as ex-lawmakers Alex Castillo and Selvin Garcia.

Chief prosecutor Thelma Aldana says a total of eight arrest warrants have been issued. The four detained suspects are jailed on suspicion of embezzlement and abuse of power.

The suspects said little about the case in court Wednesday. Garcia Chuta says he is waiting to learn details of the accusation but is confident justice will prevail.

Fajardo and Garcia Chuta lost their immunity from prosecution as lawmakers in early 2017.

According to Guatemalan media reports, the phantom jobs scheme involved no-show posts where people drew salaries as workers and advisers.