In a recent scandal, five executives from the Agro-Supply Company in Sancti Spíritus faced convictions for negligence and embezzlement, leading to losses exceeding 97 million pesos. Following this, family and friends of one of the main accused took to social media to defend her.
According to reports from the independent outlet 14yMedio, comments from family members on social media platforms suggested that the daughter of the company's director, identified only by the initials D.S., who was sentenced to 20 years in prison, claimed that her mother was unjustly treated. She argued that her mother suffered from reactive hepatitis for several months, which incapacitated her from fulfilling her duties.
During her illness, as per her daughter's account, sales occurred "behind her back" to a supposed representative of a local project, who turned out to be a con artist. This individual acquired goods and then fled the country without paying. "They were judged for embezzlement without having taken any money, just sold to a guy who never paid and left the country. Is it ethical to defame someone without knowing the full story?" wrote the daughter, as reported by 14yMedio.
Other supporters echoed this narrative, testifying to the official's illness and describing her as a "great woman who always defended the revolution." A family friend criticized the harsh sentencing of individuals like D.S., while "those who force us to steal and struggle in this cursed country are revered and allowed to continue unchecked."
The social media debate turned heated, with some demanding harsher punishments, while family and acquaintances defended the accused, insisting that the incident was a scam rather than embezzlement. The defense vowed to pursue the case "as far as needed" to establish what they believe to be the real truth.
Massive Financial Losses Uncovered
During court sessions held on August 22 and 23 in the Criminal Chamber of the Provincial People’s Court of Sancti Spíritus, it was revealed that events between 2023 and 2024 involved resource mismanagement and irregular contracts with external actors, causing significant financial damage to the company.
One noteworthy incident involved the refrigeration unit for meat products meant for the employees' consumption, located in the supply warehouse of UEB Commercializadora y Servicios. The unit experienced mechanical failures twice, preventing adequate refrigeration. Despite understanding the severity, the executives failed to implement effective measures to preserve large quantities of salami, sardines, hamburger patties, beef and pork mince, as well as fish fillets.
The most financially detrimental case was linked to operations with a fraudulent individual posing as a Local Development Project representative. Despite regulations mandating immediate payment for goods, officials repeatedly provided supplies without receiving payment, hoping these transactions would boost company revenue and ensure employee salaries.
The con artist absconded with products worth over 94 million pesos, leaving no chance to recover the funds.
The penalties imposed were severe: the former general director, who held the position until April 2024, received a 20-year prison sentence; the director of UEB Commercializadora was sentenced to 18 years; the commercial director to 16 years; and the legal advisor to 10 years. The previous general director, who led the company in 2023, received a sentence of two years and six months of imprisonment, which was converted to corrective labor with confinement.
Insights on the Sancti Spíritus Embezzlement Case
What were the charges against the executives of the Agro-Supply Company?
The executives were charged with negligence and embezzlement, resulting in losses over 97 million pesos.
How did the accused official's family defend her?
Her family claimed she was suffering from reactive hepatitis, which prevented her from performing her duties, and that the sales were made without her knowledge by a con artist.
What was the outcome of the fraudulent operations with the con artist?
The con artist absconded with goods valued at over 94 million pesos, making it impossible to recover the funds.