Court sentences Claudia Pérez “La Tora” to one year in prison for defamation

Santo Domingo.- Communicator Claudia Pérez, known as “La Tora,” was sentenced to one year in prison after a court found her guilty of defamation and slander committed through electronic means against PRM deputy Sergio Moya, popularly known as “Gory.”

The ruling was issued by Magistrate Octavia Carolina Fernández Curi of the Eighth Criminal Chamber of the National District. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Pérez to pay RD$5 million in compensation for moral damages and cover the legal costs of the case.

According to the judgment, Pérez used digital platforms and telecommunications channels to publish statements that harmed Moya’s honor and reputation. The deputy alleged that the communicator publicly linked him to criminal activities, leading to the private criminal action against her. The court determined that her actions violated Articles 21 and 22 of Law 53-07 on High Technology Crimes and Offenses, which penalizes defamation and slander carried out through electronic means.

The sentence is to be served at the Najayo Women’s Correction and Rehabilitation Center. However, the decision may be appealed under Dominican criminal procedure rules, and any appeal could include a request to suspend execution of the sentence while a higher court reviews the case.

The court also upheld the civil claim filed by Moya’s legal team. The case highlights the growing use of Law 53-07 in legal disputes involving statements published on social media and other digital platforms in the Dominican Republic.