President Left With Sacks Of Loot

Witnesses describe a looting frenzy: As ousted President Abdala Bucaram and company abandoned the presidential palace last month, they walked out the door with 11 burlap sacks allegedly stuffed with $3 million.

It happened just as an angry crowd outside was demanding Bucaram leave and chanting “Thief, thief, thief.”

Bucaram insists he did nothing wrong. Ecuador’s new government, however, says Bucaram and his top aides pilfered or squandered as much as $80 million during his turbulent six months in power.

On Friday, the Supreme Court charged Bucaram and four top aides with corruption, embezzlement, nepotism and influence peddling.