The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has been slow to dismiss officials deemed responsible for the loss of ¢285 million. The investigation against a cashier and her supervisor began in 2017, taking six years to complete, with public funds yet to be recovered.
Pensions Management Department’s Inaction
Despite the lengthy investigation, the Pensions Management department is still evaluating the course of action for the involved officials. According to the Labor Code and internal regulations of the CCSS, sanctions must be imposed within 30 days of the investigation’s conclusion.
CCSS’s Lack of Transparency
The CCSS has not provided clear answers, stating that “the procedure is ongoing in compliance with the corresponding legal framework.” Details regarding the theft of hundreds of millions in public funds are being kept “confidential.”
Breakdown of Missing Funds
The missing funds comprise ¢112 million in checks awaiting deposit, ¢1 million in cash, and ¢172 million related to collections that were never handed over to the remittance truck for transfer to the National Bank.
Case Delays and Investigation Conclusion
The case was repeatedly delayed due to various factors, including changes in lawyers, the cashier supervisor’s pregnancy, illnesses, appeals, and other setbacks. Although the investigation concluded in May 2022, the officials responsible for defining sanctions have yet to take action.
