CARACAS, Venezuela – Prosecutors have charged a prominent opposition leader with having misappropriated municipal funds 11 years ago, the second case brought against Leopoldo Lopez in three months.
The charges filed Thursday allege that in 2002, when Lopez was mayor of a district of Caracas, he failed to observe budgetary rules stating that a percentage of district funds must be transferred to the city budget.
Lopez rejected the charges, saying they were politically motivated.
Dozens of supporters shouting "Leopoldo the people are with you," gathered at the attorney general's office where the charges were presented.
If convicted Lopez could face up to three years in prison.
In February, Lopez was charged with misspending public funds by using them to launch an organization that has become one of the country's most popular political parties.
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