Suspended judge acquitted Mayor ´embezzled´ US$9.0M

Santo Domingo.- Victor Mejia Lebron, the judge who ruledto acquit the mayor of San Francisco de Macoris (central), was one of five magistrates the Justice Ministry accusedof manipulating judicial proceedings to negotiate the release of mostly drug traffickersand money launderers.

The prosecution called the ruling a concert forimpunity and corruption, and Mejia´s designation to hear Rodriguez´s case spurredgreat concern over possible “backdoor” agreements.

Citing insufficient evidence Mejia acquitted themayor, charged with embezzling more than RD$400.0 million (US$9.0 million) togetherwith four other defendants.

Mejia and four other judges have been suspended withoutpay pending the conclusion of an investigation by the Judicial Council, headedby Supreme Court chief justice Mariano German.