Cuba seeks long prison terms in egg corruption case

Cuba seeks long prison terms in egg corruption case
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
03/13/2015 3:59 PM 03/13/2015 3:59 PM

HAVANA
Cuban prosecutors are seeking prison terms of eight to 20 years for
nearly two dozen people suspected of conspiring to steal millions of
eggs for sale on the black market, official media reported Friday.

Communist Party newspaper Granma said the 19 suspects are accused of
food theft, generating fraudulent receipts and other crimes. They
include several top executives of the state-run egg distribution company
in Havana as well as accountants, drivers and other employees.

The full-page article said more than 8 million eggs were diverted to the
black market between January and October 2012. The company's economic
loss was an estimated $356,000.

"It is certain that the sentences, although severe, do not solve the
problem on their own," the paper said. "On occasions it is necessary for
evildoers to feel the full weight of the law, in addition to shame in
front of family and society."

President Raul Castro has made a point of cracking down on corruption,
which has long flourished in Cuba, with dozens of government officials
and foreign businesspeople swept up in high-profile graft cases in
recent years.

Even more common is for low-level workers to pilfer goods from the
workplace for swap or sale to supplement meager state salaries that
average about $20 a month.

Cuba also provides citizens with a monthly ration card that meets part
of their dietary needs, including eggs.

Source: Cuba seeks long prison terms in egg corruption case | Miami
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