Jose Lois Malkun, ex president Hipolito Mejia during one of the bank collapse trials.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The Justice Ministry’s anti-corruption department (DPCA) yesterday charged former Central banker Jose Lois Malkún, the ex Central Bank lieutenant governor Felix Calvo, the ex manager Cesar Apolinar Veloz, and the ex legal adviser Manuel Rubio Cristóforis with embezzling RD$10.6 billion, during the bankruptcy process of the collapsed bank Bancredito.
The DPCA requested a criminal trial stemming from the Central Bank’s accusation of embezzlement, malfeasance, conspiracy, forgery and breach of trust. It states that after that Bancredito liquidity problems, the Central Bank provided RD$20 billion in advances and re-discounts, much of whose transfer violated the Monetary and Financial Law.
The DPCA states that on July, 2003 a contract was signed with the Central Bank, represented by Malkún as guarantor of extra-territorial commitments. From that operation 18 promissory notes of RD$10.66 billion were paid, in issues of credit portfolios of Bancredito’s various affiliates - which according to the accusation- were removed from the Central Bank’s archives and given to individuals.
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
Photo is appropriate
Written by: Juango, 21 Aug 2009 8:12 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
Is everyone a thief in the DR? Why would anyone (that is decent/honest) wish to invest in such an environment? Although it appears to be a great place to launder Grey/Blk (dirty) money. I guess that is why we now see many empty half-built high rises and large buildings in the country.
Written by: Juango, 21 Aug 2009 8:48 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
Why now? These fellows have been out of power for years. Why not begin rounding up more current corrrupt government officials as well? There are plenty of those characters in this administration. It appears that they are blaming Historical Figures now for the ills of the country. We have heard that/similar story before (Bush left us an unmanagable debt), and it is tiresome, What about Bengoa's (Sec de Hacienda) scandal, Sunland, OTTTT, German's milk/breakfast program scandal etc,??? Plenty of bad things to go after, that are just as worrysome. Sound too POLITICAL, as usual. Nothing has changed.. will it ever?? Sorry to view the near future with a bit of skepticism. Hard not to do...
Written by: telemeco, 21 Aug 2009 8:59 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Monte Plata
Juango,:
You nee to do that to let other know to stop what they doing cause soon or later is coming your way
Written by: Cacique, 21 Aug 2009 9:06 AM
From: Dominican Republic
It's about time. Hipoloco's officials were not only thieves, they flaunted it...
Written by: juanb, 21 Aug 2009 9:11 AM
From: Dominican Republic
The difference between the PLD and the PRD is that while they both steal from us, the PRD does it in a more stupid and obvious way, while the PLD is sneakier and more subtle
Written by: xwill7, 21 Aug 2009 9:39 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
This is happening everywhere in the world. After the global crash people are now looking back... Its too late, this should have been caught
Written by: generoso, 21 Aug 2009 9:42 AM
From: United States, Quisqueya
I can only deduct that the long wait, is because Dominicans have a short memory span, and it is better to start the ball rolling and prosecuting these criminals, just before the race for the congress and senate seats starts, to further discredit the PRD cronies, and remind the voters what a band of Ali Baba rufians and wolves they were, guarding the country's chickens.
It could also be that the perps were greasing the prosecutors to stop them from doing their job, everything is possible in the land of Ali Baba and the 4 million thieves.
Again there are so many other perps and accomplices, from the time of Hipoloco's government that they have reproduced and mutated like a virus, and the one's doing the pitching now, can not throw stones if they live in a glass ceiling.
From: United States
I love the fact that their is some corruption being clamped down on. It cannot just be done for political gain by one party though it has to be the same treatment for everyone.
I am happy something is being done though.
From: United States, words of wisdom from the nutcracker
10 billion is that pesos or dollars if they stole that amount of money thats in a swiss account right now , they will never see that money again
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
By now, we all should be numb to this sort of news.
Question should be: where do we go from here?
Usual commentaries are superflous and not edifying: "failed state"; "corrupt gov."; etc.
Would we not make better use of space by brainstorming effective short, long-term solutions?
I would propose:
1) Full yearly financial disclosure for all deputies, senators; cabinet level gov. officials and anybody with title of director or similar; all bank officers; all military officers higher than lieutenant
2) Everybody with direct budget control and appropriations must be bonded outside DR; those who could not secure bond are probably not worthy of office.
3) Auditing by swiss company twice/year
4) Significant prison terms for those convicted, severe fines and full restitution.
5) Etc.
We could then force these corrective actions via the usual methods....you all know what they are.
What do you think?
Written by: THINK, 21 Aug 2009 10:31 PM
From: United States, SDQ -- Mia --NY
It seems like Leonel is not getting along with Hipolito., yet some kind deals with Miguel Vagar is in the processing.
Leonel, investigate yourself first........then your people........ then others.........
From: United States, Naples, Florida
That is good news. And Juango, that is the way this kind of process should go: slowly but without "politiqueria" or fast assumptions that can only hurt people's image without proof. This means that there is an honest and sincere desire to track down corruption. This means that those taking advantage of their position to steal money from the People will see justice applied to them at any time. Good! Embezzlement in the USA is punished as one of the worst criminal action against the people. And Juango, blaming parties and individuals randomly is not the best way to show you are against corruption. This is a sign that there are officials serving the people and not themselves. Corruption, organized crime and illegal immigration are being tackled no matter how many are paid to comment otherwise.
Written by: Juango, 23 Aug 2009 3:36 PM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
Constitucion writes ,,,"This means that there is an honest and sincere desire to track down corruption." Somehow I have a tough time believing that constitucion himself believes this to be true. Tracking down corruption in the DR would be a challenge for even the strongest of governments! Sorry, I remain skeptical. btw who is blaming anyone, I just point out other questionable issues & personalities.
From: United States, Naples, Florida
You're right Juango! You're entitled to express your opinion. For all I know, I can only express an opinion against a person when I know first hand of what is published. If I talk about someone is because I could go to the witness stand and show proof of what I state. Thanks God it appears that in our country corruption is being investigated for some time and now positive results are coming to the surface for us to know. It takes time to correct mistakes, but you have to commit yourself to do it if you want results. I would give the administration a vote of confidence these days. That's how Quisqueya should operate once our real and truly National Identity is included in our Constitution: Quisqueyans (www.quisqueya.name)
Smaller
Bigger
Close Gallery
Facebook
Digg this
del.icio.us
Technorati
Yahoo
You nee to do that to let other know to stop what they doing cause soon or later is coming your way
It could also be that the perps were greasing the prosecutors to stop them from doing their job, everything is possible in the land of Ali Baba and the 4 million thieves.
Again there are so many other perps and accomplices, from the time of Hipoloco's government that they have reproduced and mutated like a virus, and the one's doing the pitching now, can not throw stones if they live in a glass ceiling.
I am happy something is being done though.
Question should be: where do we go from here?
Usual commentaries are superflous and not edifying: "failed state"; "corrupt gov."; etc.
Would we not make better use of space by brainstorming effective short, long-term solutions?
I would propose:
1) Full yearly financial disclosure for all deputies, senators; cabinet level gov. officials and anybody with title of director or similar; all bank officers; all military officers higher than lieutenant
2) Everybody with direct budget control and appropriations must be bonded outside DR; those who could not secure bond are probably not worthy of office.
3) Auditing by swiss company twice/year
4) Significant prison terms for those convicted, severe fines and full restitution.
5) Etc.
We could then force these corrective actions via the usual methods....you all know what they are.
What do you think?
It seems like Leonel is not getting along with Hipolito., yet some kind deals with Miguel Vagar is in the processing.
Leonel, investigate yourself first........then your people........ then others.........