Washington probes US$93.0M plane scandal: US Envoy

Santo Domingo.- U.S. ambassador James W. Brewster on Tuesday confirmed Washington’s launch of an investigation into the US$93.0 million purchase of eight Super Tucano planes during Leonel Fernández’s Administration, after allegations of a US$3.5 million bribe.

The diplomat, speaking during a activity on Maritime Freight Security at El Embajador hotel, declined details on the probe into the deal for the Brazilian-made Embraer aircraft to patrol the airspace and detect drug traffickers.

The purchase of the Super Tucano intercept planes by Fernandez’s administration has sparked a flurry questions and calls for a local investigation by various sectors.

Washington and Brasilia have opened a probe into the alleged bribery and fraud, with a senator of the ruling PLD the party as yet unnamed and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Carlos Piccini mentioned in the scandal.

Justice minister Francisco Dominguez on Friday confirmed collaboration with the U.S. and Brazil, in the scandal which although unleashed internationally by newspaper The Wall Street Journal, has festered in the Dominican Republic during the last few years.