Anticorruption group files criminal complaint against beleaguered senator

SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican Anticorruption Alliance (ADOCCO) filed a criminal complaint against ruling party senator and ex head of the State Works Engineer Supervisors Office (OISOE) Felix Bautista, on alleged malfeasance of more than RD$12.0 billion since 2008.

ADOCCO coordinator Julio Cesar de la Rosa said an Accounts Chamber audit conducted from January 1 to December 31 2008 reveals irregularities such as a RD$2.8 billion payment for works costing only RD$1.5 billion; RD$6.5 billion illegally ballooned for works contracted between 2005 and 2008; the Palacio de Bellas Artes below-surface parking lot cost overrun, from RD$761.1 million to RD$1.6 billion; and works contracted at a cost higher than budgeted without specifying where the additional money would come from.

De la Rosa submitted the complaint to Justice Ministry Anticorruption Department (DPCA) director Hotoniel Bonilla, and announced another formal complaint to be filed in the next few days into alleged cost overruns in more than RD$700.0 million in the reconstruction of the National Library and the Plaza de la Cultura, from the original contract for RD$500.0 million.

ADOCCO is the latest entity to file a complaint against Bautista, who’s also been accused of bribing Haiti government officials to obtain major construction contracts.