Dominican Cycling Federation accused of alleged fund misappropriation

Santo Domingo.- Six Dominican cycling associations have filed a complaint with the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Administrative Corruption (PEPCA) against the Dominican Cycling Federation and its president, Jorge Blas, over alleged fund embezzlement.

Willy William Sánchez, representing the plaintiffs, claimed that both the current and previous boards engaged in a corruption scheme. He noted that in 2019 alone, the board issued checks to private individuals totaling between 400,000 and 500,000 pesos, as well as paid for airline tickets without valid justification. Despite funding from the Ministry of Sports, Sánchez added, the condition of cycling associations has continued to decline.

The associations involved, including those from Barahona, San Pedro de Macorís, La Vega, San Cristóbal, Puerto Plata, and New York, are calling for a full investigation to bring any responsible parties to justice. José Antonio Cartacio, head of the San Pedro de Macorís Cycling Association, further highlighted the challenges faced by athletes due to the lack of resources.