Moria: jewels appear on magistrate’s desk

ASUNCIÓN — In yet another twist in the jewellery theft case in which Argentine showbiz personality Moria Casán and her manager are involved, the sapphire necklace in question yesterday appeared mysteriously in the chambers of Alberto Sosa, the magistrate in the small town of Luque. Most precious stones were missing. The judge ordered experts’ reports to determine the authenticity of the jewels.

Jeweller Manuel Benítez Gill must still check whether or not this set of sapphire necklace and earrings is the same he loaned to Casán for a show at the Conmebol conference on July 27.

Court officers found the package and the jewels, which allegedly belong to Armando Joyas jewellery store, owned by Juan Armando Benítez, the plaintiff in the case.

Paraguayan prosecutor Estefanía González yesterday told ABC Co-lor newspaper that the jewels are authentic and the same ones that disappeared from Moria Casán’s dressing after a show in Luque, a small town in Paraguay. Deputy prosecutor Lina Naumann chose a more cautious approach and said the jewels must still be checked for authenticity.

Strange as it may seem, court sources said the place is ideal for anonymous people to leave things, since the security system is not good and there is a lot of activity going on at the courthouse.

The jewels appeared at the office of judge Alberto Sosa, who is not handling the case. The event coincided with announcements from several Argentine sources reporting that the jewels were about to appear any time soon.

According to Casán’s lawyer Matías Morla, there were reports that the stolen sapphire necklace, valued at 82,000 dollars, had been disassembled and made into rings. He went on to explain that “a parallel investigation has been carried out to find out what really happened,” and that everything would be solved soon.

Casán, her former manager Luciano Garbellano, and Aldo Alexis Sotto were accused after the jeweller reported the necklace missing. Casán reportedly took off the necklace in her dressing room in the presence of the jeweller, who asked Casán to pose together for a snapshot.

Although the sapphire necklace was finally returned by an anonymous person, Casán, Garbellano and Sotto must still appear before Paraguayan judges.

—Herald staff with news agencies