Brother of Chilean President Piñera settles on DUI charges

Night club owner and singer Miguel Piñera, also known as “El Negro Piñera”, was implicated in an accident October 2009 involving his Hummer and an Austin Mini driven by Maria Fernanda König. The President's brother attended the hearing yesterday where he obtained a conditional suspension of the proceedings. The deal includes paying a fine nearing US$ 11.300, performing 50 hours of community service, a public apology to Ms. König and having his driver's license suspended for one year. Mr. Piñera had insisted that at the time of the event he was not intoxicated, that he remained at the place of the accident and that the accusations against him are politically and financially motivated, according to Emol.com (in Spanish). Witnesses had testified Mr. Piñera was driving “under the influence” and that he left the scene following the accident. A blood test carried out several hours later at Clínica Las Condes, an exclusive Medical Center in Santiago, demonstrated that he was sober. President Piñera was then one of the main shareholders of the Clinic. At the time of the accident the medical director of the Clinic was Dr. Jaime Mañalich. Dr. Mañalich is now the Minister of Health.