Historic ruling: 29 people convicted in mega-fraud case against Dominican Republic state
A capital court has sentenced dozens of defendants linked to Operation Coral and Coral 5G, considered among the largest scams perpetrated against the Dominican Treasury.
Historic ruling: 29 people convicted in mega-fraud case against Dominican Republic state
A panel of judges from the National District has handed down sentences against dozens of defendants linked to Operation Coral and Coral 5G, a massive scheme of public funds embezzlement that has shaken the Dominican Republic.
Judges Giselle Méndez, Tania Yunes and Jissel Naranjo delivered guilty verdicts following a trial that lasted years. The Public Prosecution Service had accused those involved of diverting millions of pesos through ghost payrolls, front men and covert money-laundering operations.
The harshest sentence—20 years in prison—fell upon several ringleaders. Among them are Adán Cáceres, who headed the Specialised Tourism Security Corps (Cestur); former military officer Torres Robiou; and Núñez de Aza, all identified as key members of the criminal organisation.
Rossy Guzmán Sánchez, nicknamed "La Pastora", was sentenced to a decade in prison. Her son, Tanner Antonio Flete Guzmán, received an identical sentence. Two others, Wascaly Figuereo and Yeni Berenice Reynoso, must also serve 10 years for money laundering.
A former law enforcement officer who helped dismantle the network secured a reduction: five years in custody, thanks to his cooperation with investigators.
The court also imposed financial penalties and barred the convicted from holding public office. The full text of the verdict will be made public at a date to be announced by the panel.
The scandal took on national dimensions by involving military commanders, uniformed officers and ordinary citizens who, according to evidence, illicitly managed State funds. The ruling is interpreted as a signal that large-scale judicial proceedings can conclude with effective punishments against people with power and influence.
Information published by Acento
Source: Google News DO — Crime