Ivan Ayuso sentenced to five years for embezzling over $1M from GOB

Published by [email protected] at February 15, 2025

Posted: Saturday, February 15, 2025. 12:25 pm CST.

By Horace Palacio: Former Senior Accountant Ivan Ayuso remains behind bars after pleading guilty to theft and money laundering, admitting to embezzling over a million dollars from the Government of Belize. Justice Nigel Pilgrim sentenced Ayuso to four, five-year prison terms, which will run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of five years at the Belize Central Prison starting from September 27, 2024.

In a twenty-two-page High Court ruling, the judge determined that Ayuso’s forfeited Belama property will be addressed separately. This decision comes following a request by the Crown, with an added twist—his estranged wife, Tanya Savery, has stepped forward to contest ownership as part of their ongoing divorce proceedings.

The case has drawn national attention, highlighting financial mismanagement within government offices and the severe legal consequences for corruption. While Ayuso has accepted responsibility for his crimes, the fight over his assets is far from over.

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