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2 clusters · 66 sources · 7 days · First seen · Last updated

Hernán Rivas sentenced to 8 years for fraudulent law degree

Overview

A Paraguayan sentencing tribunal has convicted former senator and former president of the Jurado de Enjuiciamiento de Magistrados (JEM), Hernán Rivas, to eight years in prison for the production and use of false public documents.

The conviction stems from Rivas using a fraudulent law degree from Universidad Sudamericana to hold significant institutional roles, including serving as a representative to the JEM—the body responsible for judging judges and prosecutors—and obtaining a professional license from the Supreme Court of Justice.

During the trial, judges María Fernanda García de Zúñiga, Yolanda Portillo, and Juan Carlos Zárate Pastor characterized Rivas as an ‘alumno fantasma’ (ghost student), noting a complete absence of academic, administrative, or financial records to support his claim of studying law. The court found that Rivas had no record of attending classes, taking exams, or interacting with professors, despite possessing a certificate and degree.

The sentencing was reached by a majority vote. While the prosecution had requested a 12-year sentence, the tribunal settled on eight years. Judge Zárate Pastor dissented from the majority, advocating for a 14-year term due to the gravity of the political and judicial damage caused. Additionally, the tribunal has referred four witnesses presented by the defense—specifically two professors and two students—to the Public Ministry for investigation into potential false testimony. Legal experts have suggested the case may trigger further investigations into officials who facilitated the registration of his fraudulent credentials.

Entities

Universidad Sudamericana · Hernán Rivas · Chamber of Deputies · Carlos Núñez Salinas · María Fernanda García de Zúñiga

Claims

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Coverage disagrees

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Timeline

  1. 6 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 64 sources
    Ernesto Ruffo and Hernán Rivas face legal developments in Mexico and Paraguay

    Former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel is granted house arrest amid fuel smuggling charges, while former Paraguayan senator Hernán Rivas is sentenced to eight years for using a false law degree.

  2. 12 days ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Hernán Rivas trial: Witness identifies former senator by physical traits

    Witness Éver Ortiz Torres testified in the oral trial of former senator Hernán Rivas, identifying him by his physical features during their time as law students. Rivas declined to testify.

Sources

1000noticias.com.py · adnsureste.info · alcontacto.com.mx · billieparkernoticias.com · caaguazunoticiasdigital.com.py · cafenegroportal.com · canal44.com · carlosmartinhuerta.com.mx · diario.mx · diario21.com.mx · diariocoimbra.pt · diarioevolucion.com.mx · diarioparaguayo.com · digitalmisiones.com.py · drvnoticias.com · elbuentono.com.mx · elciudadanoweb.com · elcomercio.com · eldiariodechihuahua.mx · elnacional.com.py · eltiempomx.com · eltrueno.com.py · eluniverso.com · enlineabc.com.mx · entrelineas.com.mx · estamosaqui.mx · etcetera.com.mx · excelsior.com.mx · expreso.com.mx · expreso.ec · formato7.com · hojaderutadigital.mx · indicepolitico.com · jornadabc.com.mx · lajornadaestadodemexico.com · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · lanigua.com.mx · lateja.cr · lavozdemichoacan.com.mx · lineadirectaportal.com · lopezdoriga.com · mayacomunicacion.com.mx · npy.com.py · oncenoticias.digital · paraguayvirtual.com.py · pausa.mx · poresto.net · primeralinea.mx

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history