Costa Rican ex-president convicted of embezzlement, sentenced to 5 years in jail

Costa Rican ex-president convicted of embezzlement

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — A Costa Rican court has found former President Rafael Calderon guilty of embezzlement and sentenced him to five years in prison.

Calderon, who was president from 1990 to 1994, was accused of receiving at least $520,000 in 2004 from a Finnish government loan to Costa Rica’s social security system.

Prosecutors alleged that about $8 million of the $40 million loan was split among eight officials, including Calderon, who at the time was president of the Social Christian Unity Party.

Calderon has said he received the money as payment for consulting work.

Calderon said Monday he would appeal the ruling.