VENEZUELA: Disgraced Bolivarian bankers and accomplices to face trial  http://www.pr-inside.com/venezuela-disgraced-bolivarian-bankers-r1822279.htm

Disgraced Bolivarian bankers, Arne Chacon and Ricardo Fernandez Barrueco will face trial after all.At a hearing this week, 11th Control Judge Sheyliss Bravo accepted all charges against them and the other defendants: Orlando Suarez, Luis Suarez and Milagros Vivas that caused a major banking crisis in 2009.All of the accused are currently in jail at the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN) HQ in the Helicoide (Caracas) or the Military Intelligence Directorate in Boleita.

The banks under their control were: Banpro, Canarias, Banco Real, Banco Bolivar and Confederado.All the banks were intervened by the government and are now part of the State Banco Bicentenario.State prosecutor, Daniel Medina has charged the bankers with alleged misuse of investor's money, misappropriation of customer's saving funds and conspiracy to commit crimes violating banking laws. The two bankers built up their empire during the years President Chavez has been in office as they diversified into other sectors, such as transport and agriculture.

Their line to the top was to create what they called an Bolivarian alternative to the traditional and right-wing banking sector ... they became so powerful that they threatened to buy out the Provincial bank last year.The pair got their come-uppance towards the end of last year when the government realized that the group were more a threat to the system than the traditional banks.Chacon is the brother of former minister, Jesse Chacon, who was forced to resign over his brother's antics.Barrueco started off by administrating the fledgling Mercal government food distribution and sales department before muscling in to the banking sector.