U.S., Brazil, Dominican Republic probe bribe scandal in plane deal

Santo Domingo.- Justice minister Francisco Domínguez yesterday announced a probe into alleged bribes from Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer to Dominican officials, to buy eight Super Tucano aircraft.

He said Anti-corruption prosecutor Laura Guerrero will investigate the alleged bribe in the purchase of the aircraft, which cost US$93.7 million.

"We’ve instructed an investigation into alleged bribery which Dominican authorities received for the purchase of the Super Tucano planes, and assigned it to the Special Anti-corruption Prosecutor," said Dominguez, quoted by listin.com.do.

Citing legal documents, Reuters reports that United States and Brazil authorities investigate whether Embraer S.A. bribed officials from Argentina and Dominican Republic in the purchase of light and medium military planes, and cites Dominican Air Force colonel Carlos Piccini as involved in the case.