Chilean Comptroller Requests Details from Kast on Controversial Lunch with Former University Classmates

Following a request from Senator Daniella Cicardini and Representatives Nelson Venegas and Daniel Manouchehri (all from the Socialist Party), the Chilean Comptroller General issued a formal request to the Presidency, demanding information within 10 business days regarding the funding, use of facilities, and personnel involved in the controversial lunch held by President José Antonio Kast at La Moneda with his former university colleagues.

The document sent by the oversight body additionally states that the Presidency’s report «must be prepared with the involvement of the legal advisory or attorney of that entity».

Moreover, the Comptroller’s Office specifies that the request is made «in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 of Law No. 10.336», which requires the Government to inform this oversight body based on the concerns articulated by the petitioners, within ten business days from the processing of this request.

Upon hearing about the Comptroller’s action, Representative Manouchehri remarked that «the public debate is not about whether the government can or cannot hold meetings with the President’s friends. The debate centers on whether public resources can be used for private events».

«Here, clearly there must be a response, and the government will have to respond to the Comptroller on how the public employees who participated were funded, because the government claims ‘there are no public resources,’ yet we see public officials, waitstaff from La Moneda, working and serving the President during this feast with his friends,» the Socialist lawmaker added.

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