Former Health Minister Wilfredo Hidalgo accused of embezzling over 300 million pesos

Santo Domingo.- The Public Prosecutor’s Office has presented a report from the Comptroller General of the Republic as evidence in the Second Collegiate Court of the National District, highlighting irregularities in payments exceeding 310 million pesos related to purchasing processes during Wilfredo (Freddy) Hidalgo Núñez’s time as Minister of Public Health in 2013. Hidalgo is accused of being part of a corruption scheme that misappropriated over 4,500 million pesos, uncovered during Operation Pulpo.

Prosecutor Ernesto Guzmán Alberto indicated that Hidalgo improperly requested payment exemptions from the then-Comptroller General, Rafael Germosén. Auditor Amisael Félix Vicioso testified that the payment releases lacked the required signatures and did not comply with Law 340-06 on Purchases and Contracts. Irregularities included a lack of public bidding, improper timing of purchase authorizations, and no formal contracts for the transactions.

Witnesses, including auditors Rosa Iris Fanis and Carmen Magalys Baltazar Carpio, noted significant legal violations in the purchasing processes. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 7, where the defense will continue cross-examining the witnesses.