High Court Hears Mitigation Plea for Ivan Ayuso

Twelve days ago, former Senior Accountant Ivan Ayuso admitted to embezzling over a million dollars of taxpayers’ monies from the National Sports Council. He pleaded guilty to one count of theft and three counts of money laundering. The High Court has already indicated that Ayuso will receive no more than five years in jail. However, his plea bargain with the D.P.P. means he cannot contest the government’s move to seize his house. Today, Ayuso’s family members gathered in the courtroom to support his mitigation plea. Justice Nigel Pilgrim heard from three character witnesses: Ayuso’s son, Adrian Ivan Ayuso; his younger brother, Niem Santos Ayuso; and Merna Ramona Haylock. Adrian gave an emotional account of his father, describing him as a wonderful, quiet, and strong person who stays out of trouble. He spoke about how hard the news of his father’s crimes has been on the family and apologized to the country of Belize on his father’s behalf, pleading for leniency. Niem also asked the court for leniency, expressing how much the family loves and needs Ayuso. Ayuso was supposed to be sentenced today, but the D.P.P. was not ready to make the forfeiture application, so the matter has been postponed to October twenty-fifth.