Mayor ‘embezzled’ RD$400.0M ‘takes claque’ to hearing

Santo Domingo.- San Francisco de Macoris (northwest) mayor Félix Rodríguez on Wednesday heard evidence that he allegedly embezzled RD$400 million from the City Council, while a group of his supporters wearing yellow shirts gathered in front of the Santo Domingo Province Courthouse.

On the opposite sidewalk however leaders of community groups protest against Rodriguez, for the alleged embezzlement in the City Council. They also complain that the Mayor’s supports were paid go to the courthouse and are mostly his employees.

In the hearing Rodríguez’s defense claimed that it was the Mayor who alerted the Accounts Chamber on the missing funds.

Among the organizations which call for Rodriquez’s conviction figure the leftist group FALPO, the FELABEL Student Union, and Duarte province neighborhood boards, among others.

Trial

The prosecutors submitted several documents that purportedly reveal graft in municipal works assigned to certain people.

The indictment allegedly includes evidence that Rodriquez pocketed R$400.0 million. The next hearing is slated for 2pm tomorrow Friday.