Prosecution wants more time in R$161.7M “pathologically corrupt” case

Santo Domingo.- A National District Court was asked an extension of the investigation phase in the case against ex director of the dams and canals agency (INDRHI), Hector Rodriguez Pimentel, accused of embezzling more than US$161.0 million during his tenure.

Justice Ministry Anticorruption Dept. (DPCA) director Hotoniel Bonilla, who last year called Rodriguez “pathologically corrupt,” filed the motion before 5th Instruction Court judge Gisell Soto, who could hand down a ruling as soon as today.

Priam Mendez Cuesta, Manuel de la Cruz Martinez, Jose Antonio Perez Jimenez, Fior D’Aliza Ares Salazar, Victor Hugo Batista and Teodoro Ruiz Linares are also listed as defendants.

The request states the investigation looks into serious irregularities at the INDRHI, as uncovered by an Accounts Chamber audit conducted from January 1 to December 31, 2008.

Bonilla added that the Justice Ministry’s investigation found a difference of RD$161.7 million in the INDRHI‘s books.