Top prosecutor wants RD$14.0B bank fraud convict kept in jail

Santo Domingo.- A San Cristobal province judge will rule today on ex Progreso bank president Pedro Castillo’s request to change the 10-year prison sentence on his RD$14.0 billion fraud conviction.

Sentencing judge Jose Ignacio Medrano s will hear the former banker’s request filed by his lawyers at 9am Wednesday.

On Tuesday Justice minister Francisco Domínguez instructed San Cristobal Appellate Court prosecutor Jesus Fernandez to take any necessary step to prevent impunity in Castillo’s case.

Inadmissible

Dominguez called the ex-banker’s motion inadmissible and contradicts the State’s criminal justice policies, noting concern with judge Medrano’s rulings. "We’ve watched with concern the San Cristobal province Sentencing Judge’s rulings on some cases requiring the State’s firm and consistent policy."