Buenos Aires, February 18 (NA) – The Oral Court in Criminal and Correctional Matters No. 16 of the city of Buenos Aires on Wednesday dismissed the mayor of La Matanza, Fernando Espinoza, in the case of sexual abuse against him. The court made this determination based on the lack of action after the complainant, Melody Rakauskas, was left without legal representation following the consecutive resignation of three lawyers. Nevertheless, complainant Rakauskas stated in an interview with Radio Rivadavia that she will appeal the decision, clarifying that she was unaware that she would not receive notifications from the Justice Department regarding the deadlines to appoint a lawyer. On February 12, prosecutor Monica Cuñarro had requested the dismissal of Espinoza.
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How the case progressed
At the end of last year, the Supreme Court of Justice rejected an appeal by Espinoza against his indictment for simple sexual abuse and disobedience to a court order, ordering his release on provisional bail and prohibiting him from approaching or contacting the victim. According to Rakauskas's complaint, the accused allegedly met with her at her apartment three times for work purposes, and on one occasion, in May 2021, he made advances that resulted in forced touching despite her resistance.
