A 35-year veteran in the Comptroller General’s legislative office has been sanctioned for nearly paying through the nose for 7,000   disposable face masks for the National  Assembly.

She has been suspended for three days and the 7,000 masks she intended to acquire for a unit price of $2.50. will not be paid for until the “unfair” price is adjusted.

"The official, , was surprised in her good faith when making the decision under the pressure of the urgency necessary for the safety of deputies and administrative personnel,"  said the Comptroller's office on Thursday, April 24.

"Administrative corrections" were ordered so that this does not happen again.

In a statement, the Comptroller's Office says it expects the sanction to be "an example for the rest of the supervisors" and adds that they must remain firm in safeguarding the state's resources and that they try "not to succumb to pressure from any official or State organ.”.

The purchase, which was made by direct purchase had a total cost of $18,000  when adding taxes.

This type of mask that the Assembly acquired is the most common and commercialized and sold in boxes of 50. Medical and pharmaceutical companies Medimex, SA, are selling the masks for $32.50 per box.

The retail cost of 7,000 units would be $ 4550, plus the ITBS, a difference of $13,000 without tax reports  La Prensa.