Odebrecht scandal turns toward the Punta Catalina power plant

Santo Domingo.- The investigation into the Odebrecht case on Thursday turned toward the Punta Catalina coal-fired power plant, with top executives of the firm Stanley Consultants subpoenaed to appear this afternoon, and Chamber of Deputies former president and current mayor of Santiago, Abel Martínez.

Stanley Consultants executives Larry Shell and Henry Macual are to appear for depositions this afternoon over the tender process to build the plant, won by Odebrecht.

Martínez is to appear at 2:30pm, in his capacity as former lower Chamber president, to face questions about the international loans approved during his tenure for works built by Odebrecht.

Martinez and the Stanley Consultants executives figure in a list of government officials and lawmakers linked to Odebrecht ‘s admitted bribe of US$92.0 million to Dominican government officials.

Stanley Consultants managed the technical aspects of ​​the tender process for the plant, whose adjudication to Odebrecht was questioned by the other companies that participated in the contest.

According to State-owned Electric Utility (CDEEE) CEO Rubén Jiménez Bichara, international firms designed everything from the call for tenders, their evaluation, designation and permanent supervision of the plant’s construction.

Jiménez said the CDEEE received the assistance from of consulting firms specialized in the legal area, such as Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP, Pereyra & Associaes; Pereyra, Russin Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti, whereas Stanley Consultants, as well as Proyersa were in charge of the technical area.

He added that the economic and financial area was headed by the BNP Paribas Securities Corp, Deloitte RD SRL, while the Fundación Economía y Desarrollo (Economy and Development Foundation) assisted the tendering commission.