The World - News from March 7, 1988

U.S. and Salvadoran officials suspect a prominent legislative candidate from President Jose Napoleon Duarte’s ruling party in the misuse of as much as $2 million of American aid, the New York Times reported. Luis Mejia Miranda, described as a close associate of Duarte’s son, Alejandro, was informed earlier this year that he is under U.S. investigation and has denied the charges, the newspaper said. Mejia resigned three months ago from his post as director of a national commission that coordinates development projects for poor towns in war zones. The officials said Mejia and as many as eight other Christian Democrats are suspected of overcharging for projects such as bridges and roads.