Watchdog wants senators’ names in Dominican Republic ‘Tucanogate’

Santo Domingo.- TheDominican Anticorruption Alliance (Adocco) on Wednesday demanded to disclosethe names of the senators who pushed for the loan to buy eight Super Tucano aircraftfrom the Brazilian plane maker Embraer, even when the US was willing to donate aircraftwith the same capabilities.

Adocco demanded that Justice minister Francisco Dominguez andAnticorruption Dept. prosecutor Laura Guerrero reveal the names of thelawmakers named by Brazilian authorities in the graft probe local media dub ‘Tucanogate.’

On Wednesday former defense minister Pedro Rafael PeñaAntonio, active Air Force Col. Carlos Piccini and businessmen Daniel AquinoHernández and his son, Daniel Aquino Méndez were arrested in connection with the purchase ofthe Super Tucanos.

Adocco president Julio Cesar De la Rosa said the UnitedStates and Brazil, especially Embraer, want the case resolved and thoseresponsible prosecuted. “In order to do business in US territory, companiesshould distance themselves from corrupt practices such as bribery and influencepeddling, conditions that have arisen in this case involving three countriesand the Dominican military establishment.”

The Senate reportedly approved the US$93.0 million purchaseof the Super Tucanos on alleged bribes of more than US$3.0 million, althoughGuerrero pledged to reveal the lawmakers’ names’ as the investigation allows.