Dictator's son accused of check fraud

SANTIAGO, Chile, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The son of the late Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is facing charges of check fraud for writing more than $8,000 in bad checks, a prosecutor said.

The case joins a long line of political scandals involving Augusto Pinochet Hiriart, a former soldier and businessman, The Santiago Times reported Tuesday.

In 1989, Pinochet Hiriart received some $1.8 million to act as an intermediary between the Chilean Army and a bankrupt weapons factory.

Deputy Prosecutor Marcial Perez Torres said the check fraud charges will be outlined at a Tuesday hearing.