Top prosecutor awaits info on Dominicans in ‘Panama Papers’

Santo Domingo.- Justice minister Francisco Dominguez on Wednesdaysaid Panama authorities have yet to send him the names of Dominicans whocreated offshores allegedly listed inthe "Panama Papers" scandal.

He said he’s in contact with his counterpart in Panama andjournalists working the story, to obtain that information.

The official said thus far Panama authorities haven’tinvestigated possible links to the Dominican Republic.

Dominguez said the information he requested could be key todetermine if the mechanism involves tax evasion, money laundering orcorruption.

"The investigation will determine whether there areDominican citizens with special accounts and (if they) used any type ofmaneuver aimed at concealment, tax evasion, money laundering or any kind ofhidden business that can make us presume the occurrence of a criminal act."

Dominguez, speaking at the graduation ceremony of theNational School of Prosecutions, said the information asked of Panama’sauthorities could spark a formal investigation into criminal activities byDominican citizens. “We are awaiting response from Panama, as soon as we getthe data it will be released to the public.”