Maira Marlene Zamora Alvarado, will spend the next ten years in prison and pay a fine of $180 million colones, after being found guilty of tax fraud in Costa Rica.  This is the first tax fraud conviction in the country’s history.  Zamora Alvarado is the sister of Movimiento Libertario party legislator, Mireya Zamora. 

The conviction stems from the now defunct company, Estrella Brillante S.A.  The company was found to have defrauded the government $180 million colones, while also providing false information to Costa Rica’s Finance Ministry.  Zamora Alvarado was named as the legal representative of the company by her husband, Roberto Carvajal.  Legislator Zamora believes Carvajal is to blame for the conviction of her sister.

Zamora Alvarado has 15 days to appeal the sentence.  She is not permitted to leave the country and must check in at the courthouse every two weeks.