On Wednesday, the Criminal Court of the Treasury in San José acquitted three prominent former officials in a high-profile influence-peddling trial, ruling that prosecutors failed to prove the crime occurred.


The court cleared former Supreme Court Justice Celso Gamboa-Sánchez, former San José Mayor Johnny Araya-Monge, and former prosecutor Berenice Smith-Bonilla of all charges.


Influence peddling, also known as trading in influence, generally involves using political or personal connections to secure favors, often for personal benefit.

The acquittal came at the request of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (FAPTA). Prosecutor Natalia Villalta told the court last week that, after reviewing all evidence and testimony, the state could not establish beyond a reasonable doubt that any offense had been committed.

“We analyzed all testimonial and documentary evidence objectively and concluded we must request an acquittal,” Villalta said after the hearing. “It would have been irresponsible to reach that conclusion from the start without thoroughly examining the case.”

The case was tried before the Criminal Court of Finance in San José. Judges accepted the prosecution’s motion, ending the years-long legal proceedings against the three defendants. 

Gamboa, Araya and Smith were accused of using their positions to manipulate an official document. According to the indictment, Gamboa and Smith (both prosecutors at the time) allegedly collaborated to provide Araya with a certificate stating he had no pending criminal cases. Prosecutors argued the document could have shielded Araya from political damage.

Despite the acquittal, Gamboa remains behind bars. He is currently held at Jorge Arturo Montero Prison in Alajuela Province while awaiting a ruling on a U.S. extradition request. Prosecutors in the Eastern District of Texas have filed unrelated criminal charges against him.