Further Delays in Ivan Ayuso Theft Case After Wife Files for Divorce  

The theft and money laundering case against former Sports Council Senior Accountant Ivan Ayuso seems to be dragging on endlessly, with his sentencing and forfeiture hearing repeatedly adjourned. On September twenty-seventh, Ayuso pleaded guilty to one count of theft and three counts of money laundering for embezzling one point four million dollars from the government. He knows he’ll face at least five years for each count, and his house, which he shared with his wife Tanya Savery, is up for forfeiture to the Government of Belize. However, when Ayuso appeared before Justice Nigel Pilgrim this morning, the forfeiture process hit several snags. First, the Director of Public Prosecutions requested more time to respond to an application from Savery, who has now filed for divorce. The court granted this request, further delaying sentencing. Savery has also filed an application to protect her interest in the property from any forfeiture order, citing a court order that already establishes her and Ayuso’s interests under matrimonial proceedings. The DPP asked for an adjournment to apply to the Civil Court to vary the division of matrimonial assets order, but Savery’s attorney, Erin Quiros, objected, arguing that the Financial Intelligence Unit and the DPP were aware of the matrimonial proceedings and allowed them to proceed. The DPP then requested more time to respond to Savery’s affidavit, which Justice Pilgrim granted. All parties are to return to court on December thirteenth. Ayuso, usually described as jovial, was visibly agitated and frustrated by the delay in sentencing.