Santo Domingo.- Electricity Superintendent Francisco Méndez pledged to disclose in the next few days, jointly with the Justice Ministry, the names of wealthy families who steal electricity, in an apparent resumption of a practice begun two years ago.

He said it’s hard to believe that even those who own luxury mansions steal electricity, and that it’s ironic that they are the first come out to protest when the service undergoes a crisis. He said the authorities have given a deadline of 15 days to all those who are illegally connected to the power grid to pay their debt or otherwise risk arrest.

Interviewed on Telesistema Channel 11, the official added that in addition to judicial prosecution, the names of energy thieves will be published. He said since enforcement of the law which punishes electrical theft began, hundreds of people have been caught, mainly wealthy families. “We’ve already charged a number of people, owners of mansions which practically cover blocks who are stealing the light.”

The Electricity Superintendent added that it’s unusual that people with “small palaces” which must pay more than 50,000 pesos for just maintenance would actually steal the energy.