Santo Domingo.- After the Supreme Court yesterday ruled not to grant bail to Oscar Ezequiel Rodriguez wanted in extradition by the U.S. on drug trafficking charges in Boston, the defendant again affirmed writing a RD$500,000 check in the name of president Leonel Fernandez in 2004 and that he’s a friend of former Education minister Melanio Paredes, and of an uncle of the chief executive, which he didn’t identify.

Rodriguez gained notoriety two weeks ago when the media uncovered his connection with opposition PRD party presidential candidate Hipólito Mejía, through the group “Renacer con Papa” (rebirth with father).

Though he had previously claimed handing the RD$500,000 check to Fernandez himself, Presidency Chief of Staff Cesar Pina last week denied that Fernandez had personally received it.

Rodriguez declined to specify his connection with people close to Mejía or his campaign, and said the check isn’t faked and wrote it to collaborate with Fernandez’s campaign, adding that he knows the President.