Gerardo Justo Orozco Álvarez (born 1950) is a Costa Rican pastor, lawyer, mathematician and politician. Orozco has been member of Congress in two occasions (1998-2002 and 2010-2014) and presidential candidate.
Orozco was born in San José, Costa Rica on February 18, 1950.[1] He's married to Yasmín Mata and has two children.[1] Founder member of the Universidad Cristiana del Sur, a private university in Costa Rica, where he received his law degree.[1] Orozco is also founder of Costa Rican Renewal Party, a Christian-based, conservative political party for which he held office as deputy twice. As Congressman, Orozco is heavily opposed all initiatives for same-sex marriage and civil unions and was accused of homophobia,[2] especially after verbally confronting then-Congresswoman and future minister Carmen Muñoz, who is openly lesbian, accusing her of legislating in self-benefit. He also made several public comments that were considered offensive toward the gay community.[3][4]
Corruption scandal
editIn 2013 Orozco’s Southern Christian University was raided by judicial authorities pending investigation on charges of degree falsification and alleged exchange of sexual favors among students and teachers for grades.[5] Costa Rica’s board of superior education CONESUP also opened an investigation over degrees and grades irregularities.[5]
Arrest for sexual abuse charges
editOrozco was arrested in 2015 after three women accused him of sexual abuse.[6] Allegedly after introduce them in different occasions in motel rooms under false premises.[7] The alleged victims refuse to settle out of court.[8] His Trial is currently pending.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Justo Orozco Álvarez" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica. Retrieved 27 March 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Government promises to approve gay civil unions". Costa Rican News. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ "Meet Costa Rica's 13 presidential candidates". Tico Times. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ "Justo Orozco Orozco to Represent Costa Rica at Human Rights Summit in Brazil". Costa Rican Times. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Costa Rica's Southern Christian University Being Charged with Issuing Fake Degrees". Costa Rican Times. 2012-09-23. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ "Costa Rica ex-lawmaker and anti-gay evangelical Justo Orozco arrested on alleged sexual abuse charges". Tico Times. July 1, 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ "Costa Rican ex-lawmaker Justo Orozco faces another criminal complaint for alleged sexual abuse". Tico Times. July 2, 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ "Plaintiff in sexual assault case against Costa Rica ex-lawmaker Justo Orozco rejects out-of-court settlement". Tico Times. July 30, 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2016.