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 News from Around the Americas | January 2006 
Pinochet Forged Wife Signatures
 Prensa Latina
| | Supporters of presidential candidate Michelle Bachelet walk past a newspaper print with a fake mugshot of Chile's former dictator Augusto Pinochet during a rally in Santiago January 11, 2006. A torture victim in the Pinochet dictatorship, a former defense minister and a medical doctor, Bachelet has parlayed her ability to connect with voters into becoming the favorite to lead Chile as its next president. (Reuters/Jorge Silva) |
Santiago, Chile - Ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet forged his wife´s signatures in various bank documents, according to a report on handwriting tests on his family and collaborators released Thursday.
The document received by Judge Carlos Cerda said that Pinochet forged his wife´s signature in 12 of 16 checks tested, which could enlarge the record of charges he faces for secret assets at the US Riggs bank.
To find out who falsified the documents, Cerda ordered tests on the handwriting of Pinochet and his children Augusto, Marco Antonio and Jacqueline.
He also ruled for testing handwriting of retired generals Gustavo Collao, Guillermo Garin and Jorge Ballerino, other former army members and current Army Auditor Juan Romero and his lawyer Ambrosio Rodriguez.
Cerda submitted the documents to handwriting experts Francisco del Valle and Rodolfo Saez, after Pinochet´s falsification was proven.
If the new test confirms the first results, the ex-ruler could face a new trial for forgery of a private document.
Pinochet faces counts for tax evasion and forgery of public documents, false declaration of income and fake passports.
His lawyers have tried to play down the latest accusation by saying that signature falsification is frequent in marriages.
Cerda ordered on Wednesday seizure of all of Pinochet´s libraries to determine the real bibliographic material he possesses and if money from fiscal coffers were diverted to his patrimony.
He instructed in December to evaluate Pinochet and his relatives´ mansions and number of cars.
Pinochet´s wife Lucia Hiriart and son Marco Antonio, former secretary Monica Ananias and ex executor Oscar Aitken are also accused of tax evasion.
The ex dictator is being tried for nine of the 119 disappearances during the so-called Operation Colombo launched by military dictatorship forces between 1974 and 1975. |
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