Nule Group corruption scandal

{{see also|Corruption in Colombia}}

{{update|date=May 2017}}

File:Obra de Transmilenio en la carrera 13 A con calle 26.JPG was awarded in 2007 and was forecast to be finished by 2009. The almost two years in delay in the execution of the work turned it into the symbol of the scandal.]]

The Nule Group corruption scandal (Spanish: Carrusel de la Contratación = "Contract Carousel") is a case of political corruption which took place in the city of Bogotá during the administration of former mayor Samuel Moreno Rojas of the Polo Democrático Alternativo party in 2010. The controversy exploded on June 25 of that year when secret recordings surfaced of the multimillion-dollar commission negotiations between Germán Olano, a former Colombian congressman, and construction mogul Miguel Nule Velilla, whose company, the Nule Group, handled many Bogotá public works contracts.{{Cite web|url = http://www.caracol.com.co/noticias/judicial/cronologia-del-carrusel-de-contratacion-en-bogota/20110225/nota/1431573.aspx|title = Cronología del 'Carrusel de contratación' en Bogotá|access-date = September 23, 2011|author = Caracol Radio|author-link = Caracol Radio|language=es}}

This scandal eventually led to many at the top of the Nule Group pleading guilty to embezzling millions of dollars meant for the construction of the Transmilenio public transport system and of roads in the city. Guido, Manuel and Miguel Nule were charged with embezzlement, bribery and conspiracy. At a pretrial hearing Miguel said they had paid a 6% commission to the mayor and to Senator Iván Moreno Rojas, and called it extortion.{{cite book|page=348|title=Historical Dictionary of Colombia|author=Harvey F. Kline|year=2012|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0810878136|via=Google Books|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BJbjM7yYKmkC}}{{cite web|last1=Wells|first1=Miriam|title=Nule cousins sentenced to 7 years for Bogota embezzlement|url=http://colombiareports.com/nule-cousins-sentenced-to-7-years-for-bogota-embezzlement/|website=Colombia Reports|access-date= December 12, 2015}} Subsequent investigations revealed further corruption and several politicians, businessmen, leaders of the Institute of Urban Development{{Cite web|url = http://www.caracol.com.co/noticias/judicial/cronologia-del-carrusel-de-contratacion-en-bogota/20110225/nota/1431573.aspx|title = Cronología del 'Carrusel de contratación' en Bogotá|access-date = September 23, 2011|author = Caracol Radio|author-link = Caracol Radio|language = es}} and even the mayor himself were implicated. Mayor Moreno was consequently suspended from office in 2011 and has now been formally accused of corruption, bribery, embezzlement by appropriation, and extortion.{{cite web|last1=Freeman|first1=Daniel E|title=More bad news for Bogota ex-mayor|url=http://colombiareports.com/bad-news-ex-mayor-bogota/|website=Colombia Reports|access-date=December 12, 2015}} The national government lost nearly one trillion Colombian pesos (roughly $521 million dollars) as a result of the crime.{{Cite web|url = http://caracoltv.com/noticias/justicia/articulo-198963-contraloria-abre-investigacion-contra-el-grupo-nule|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130813235138/http://caracoltv.com/noticias/justicia/articulo-198963-contraloria-abre-investigacion-contra-el-grupo-nule|url-status = dead|archive-date = August 13, 2013|title=Contraloría abre investigación contra el grupo Nule|access-date = September 23, 2011|author = Caracol Noticias|author-link = Caracol Noticias|language = es}} Olano surrendered to Colombian authorities on his return from Miami in May 2011.{{cite news |url=http://colombiareports.com/former-congressman-arrested-in-bogota-on-return-from-miami/

|publisher=Colombia Reports

|date=May 2, 2011

|author=Tom Heyden

|agency=Colombia News

|title=Former congressman arrested in Bogota on return from Miami

}}

The corruption scandal is considered one of the biggest in recent Colombian history.{{Cite web|url = http://www.revistagobierno.com/portal/index.php/politica/conflicto-y-justicia/5983-qcarrusel-de-la-contratacionq|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110703235529/http://www.revistagobierno.com/portal/index.php/politica/conflicto-y-justicia/5983-qcarrusel-de-la-contratacionq|url-status = dead|archive-date = July 3, 2011|title = Carrusel de la contratación|access-date = September 23, 2011|author = Revista Gobierno|language = es}}