Jose Rafael Ariza, sitting, cross examines the colonel. Photo elnuevodiario.com.do
Santo Domingo. - Contradictions marked yesterday’s hearing in the trial against Sobeida Felix and the others accused of money laundering, during the cross examination of the first prosecution witness, colonel Julio Cesar Souffront, by Jose Rafael Ariza, lawyer for two defendants.
At one point, the prosecution even halted Souffront’s testimony, citing “privileged information” to prevent revealing the names of officials and officers allegedly involved in the case.
The senior officer, head of the Drugs Control Agency’s (DNCD) Financial Crimes Investigation Department, said he interrogated and interviewed more than 100 people on the money laundering case.
“Those who’ve been indicted are the ones who are involved with the fact,” Souffront said in his testimony of more than nine hours in the First Collegiate Court.
Ariza, who defends Mary Peláez and Sammy Dauhajre, criticized that the colonel didn’t investigate who issued Christian Almonte (Jose Figueroa Agosto) the I.D. card of the National Investigations Department (DNI), the cedulas, the passport and the guns.
Also that Danilo Feliz, mayor of the costal town Guayacanes, claims ownership of a villa in the also resort town, Juan Dolio, said to be Figuero’s, valued at RD$7 million.
The colonel admitted that he didn’t interrogate those who provided the false certificates to Figueroa, the one who issued the DNI card or the official who issued the passport to the Puerto Rican murder convict.
Souffront didn’t explain why Michael Dauhajre wasnot charged, who allegedly sold an apartment to Figueroa, together with his brother Sammy,.
Other names
Under cross examination the investigator said they confirmed that Ramon Sanchez and Felipe Rodriguez de la Rosa were aliases used by Figueroa to acquire assets, and that Juan Jose Fernandez Ibarra and Mary Peláez were interrogated in the DNCD without an assistant prosecutor or his lawyers present, which violates the Penal Code.
Souffront also denied Sobeida Felix’s assertion that during the search of her apartment in the condo tower Alco Paradiso “a bag full of dollars were lost” and that the officer responsible for that alleged loss was colonel Elvin Familia.
Privileged information
When Souffront was about to cite names of officials and officers involved in the case, the prosecution stopped him, affirming that it was “privileged information” and part of the ongoing investigation.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
This is comedy, and the guiltiests will go about their business, continue doing their crime with impunity.
These investigations are so sloppy and conducted by individuals who lack requisite qualifications to carry out a good and fair investigation. Then, after the investigation is completed, we are likely to deal with a judge with one of those funny titles or, even worse, an "Interim Judge", which is just another name for a "get out of jail free" card. Heck, they might even collect $200.00 as they pass "Go" on their way out.
At the rate this is going, some of the accused are likely to die in jail before we get near the bottom of this mess; moreover, the Christmas pardons should be plentiful if there should be any token convictions. Also, government and/or military officials would just be remanded to some country club-type camp, to improve their golf and tennis games, as well as their scheming skills.
MJEV.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
How can you say all that ,,Have you been looking at the witness giving evidence on the TV , have you heard the names she has been giving and have you heard the questions asked of her and do you realise that this is only the first part of the evidence she is now preared to give for a reduced sentance , ???? The investigations are far from sloppy in this case as you would realise if you read the transcripts or even a part of them as are now being published .
The judge is not an interim judge and the legal teams are skilled . There will be many delays in the court procedures as there are in the USA and UK courts in these cases involving a number of accused to ensure the equality of justice to various accused ,
At this stage there is not the slightest evidence to suggest that all the accused will receive lengthy custodial sentances and that more people will be brought before justice after they are named .
Written by: Vivacuba, 6 May 2011 8:50 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Where is the defense (the US Government)?
From: United States
What a bunch of illiterates.
So a witness cannot use the name of a corrupt POS because it is 'privileged'? An ongoing investigation? Hell that means these scum have years to go before these moron will indict them.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
gmiller ..maybe if you gave it a little more thought , you might see the wisdom in the request by the prosecutor . He may not want his future case against others to be jeopardised by the naming of some people at this stage .that is not unusual in a court case .
From: United States
Ricardolito, There is NO future case. It is all a big pile of crap.
With their Groundhogs day mentality, NOTHING will get done.
They did not want them to say names because then they would be on record. Damn, then they may have to really do something.
There is NO justice in the DR.
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
Souffront's job is to can the small fry, and to protect his own.
Funny he didn't think relevant to check out the cedula and DNI credentials people.
Or to look further into the murders of the very potentially incriminating witnesses.
So of course there will be contradictions and sheer nonsense.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
As usual , I am more optomistic although the big fish are always harder to nail ,But the TV , channel 33, last night was most interesting with long footage of this case .
I have written many times that I would like to know , as Ariza wants to know, just who issued all the cedulas, gun licences and and other things to Figueroa , but that is the role of the internal security in the government to find that out ,We know already that there was a crooked former army officer, deported from the USA and who then worked in the Presidents Office , who was involved .
the defence lawyers will put as many obstacles in the way as possible but I am sure Sobeida will come out with many more names in the government and without .
Cases like this drag out for months in the UK and the USA and elsewhere as new evidence has to be tested as it is brought forward by the lawyers and witnesses ..we all need good Dominican patience ..
Written by: OGNYC, 6 May 2011 1:00 PM
From: United States
Why does this website keep calling this a drug case,NO ONE IS FACING ANY DRUG CHARGES IN THIS FAKE CASE ONLY MONEY LAUNDERING this drives me crazy because it makes it sound as if Lieonel an his gang are doing something to fight drugs. This entire case is a shameful embarrassment and another indication of the NARCO state that is being contructed by Lieonel and his people. The only people who take this case seriously is Lieonel and his fans. None of the real people who were the real actors are being prosecuted just start by the DNI Id card he had how did he get that. Once again I will say it every agency involved with fighting drugs in DR is CORRUPT and up for sale Military,Police,DNI,PRESIDENT,Senate,Diputados,DNCD. Only the fans of Lieonel and those living in another world will disagree. At the end those of who love DR are left with no hope.
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
Ricki,
you're right, there goes the escape goat. The presidential guard that was deported from NYC for selling CRACK in leonels neighborhood of uptown manhattan or the pilot that was caught with 2 kilos of cocaine after leonel got off the plane. There is too many unanswered questions on leonels behalf.
From: Dominican Republic, Santiago
Ricardolito, I too have watched the reports on TV and it is very possible this will lead to the whale. I at least am impressed with the coverage and hope that it leads to LF and his insipid wife. LF has to be involved.
Yet I say let it go on for awhile and hold the criticism. Perhaps because it is getting so much attention there is hope. But yes Ricardolito thus far I am impressed and optimistic.
From: Dominican Republic, Santiago
Ricardolito, I too have watched the reports on TV and it is very possible this will lead to the whale. I at least am impressed with the coverage and hope that it leads to LF and his insipid wife. LF has to be involved.
Yet I say let it go on for awhile and hold the criticism. Perhaps because it is getting so much attention there is hope. But yes Ricardolito thus far I am impressed and optimistic.
Written by: OGNYC, 6 May 2011 11:03 PM
From: United States
I must be living in another world a bizarro world. After all the unchecked corruption that happens in DR. Knowing the story of this case. How can I be among the only people who know that not a single big fish will go down. All of you optimistic dreamers who live in a wonder land are fools. Either you people are part of Lieonels fans or you just arrived in DR and dont know any better or your just foolish. Can any of you tell me when during Lieonels government a major player has gone to jail for anything. You can't name one but you think that this time it will be different. Your making yourselves sound stupid WAKE UP from this dream world. I will guarantee you all that no big player will even be mentioned. How is it that Lieonel and his group will not prosecute any of the obvious curruption but in the most public case they will let big players go to jail. I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I'm willing to sell please ignore the cars I'm taking bids. Your a group of fools
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
@OG,
You wouldn't happen to be referring to Ricky-right?
Written by: OGNYC, 7 May 2011 6:46 PM
From: United States
Yes I'm referring to Ricky and to a group here that seem to be living in a dream world. At this point I don't even think that they are Dominican if they are they must be very young. It's such a high level of naïveté if not stupidity.I'm a proud Dominican but we cant ignore reality.The DR that I know doesn't seem to be the one these people know. How can they talk the way they do? They and the corrupt political and military class are to blame for what DR has become. Once again my offer stands to sell them a bridge in Brooklyn.
Written by: carlosm, 9 May 2011 6:53 PM
From: United States
This is a simple case, if you a referring tho Sobeida she said, none of them knew that he was who he was, and only the guy who issued the DNI id, which name is prohibited to mention inertial, i sell a car to a not known drug dealer i should not have to spend two years in jail just waiting for a trial, meanwhile Sobeida take the stand say some convenient things and boom the girl with two apartments, two cars 2 houses and 4.5 (allegedly) million dollars free of charges because she decided to frame the ones that conveniently justified the district attorney actions. all this is B. S...
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This is comedy, and the guiltiests will go about their business, continue doing their crime with impunity.
These investigations are so sloppy and conducted by individuals who lack requisite qualifications to carry out a good and fair investigation. Then, after the investigation is completed, we are likely to deal with a judge with one of those funny titles or, even worse, an "Interim Judge", which is just another name for a "get out of jail free" card. Heck, they might even collect $200.00 as they pass "Go" on their way out.
At the rate this is going, some of the accused are likely to die in jail before we get near the bottom of this mess; moreover, the Christmas pardons should be plentiful if there should be any token convictions. Also, government and/or military officials would just be remanded to some country club-type camp, to improve their golf and tennis games, as well as their scheming skills.
MJEV.
The judge is not an interim judge and the legal teams are skilled . There will be many delays in the court procedures as there are in the USA and UK courts in these cases involving a number of accused to ensure the equality of justice to various accused ,
At this stage there is not the slightest evidence to suggest that all the accused will receive lengthy custodial sentances and that more people will be brought before justice after they are named .
What a bunch of illiterates.
So a witness cannot use the name of a corrupt POS because it is 'privileged'? An ongoing investigation? Hell that means these scum have years to go before these moron will indict them.
Ricardolito, There is NO future case. It is all a big pile of crap.
With their Groundhogs day mentality, NOTHING will get done.
They did not want them to say names because then they would be on record. Damn, then they may have to really do something.
There is NO justice in the DR.
Funny he didn't think relevant to check out the cedula and DNI credentials people.
Or to look further into the murders of the very potentially incriminating witnesses.
So of course there will be contradictions and sheer nonsense.
I have written many times that I would like to know , as Ariza wants to know, just who issued all the cedulas, gun licences and and other things to Figueroa , but that is the role of the internal security in the government to find that out ,We know already that there was a crooked former army officer, deported from the USA and who then worked in the Presidents Office , who was involved .
the defence lawyers will put as many obstacles in the way as possible but I am sure Sobeida will come out with many more names in the government and without .
Cases like this drag out for months in the UK and the USA and elsewhere as new evidence has to be tested as it is brought forward by the lawyers and witnesses ..we all need good Dominican patience ..
you're right, there goes the escape goat. The presidential guard that was deported from NYC for selling CRACK in leonels neighborhood of uptown manhattan or the pilot that was caught with 2 kilos of cocaine after leonel got off the plane. There is too many unanswered questions on leonels behalf.
Yet I say let it go on for awhile and hold the criticism. Perhaps because it is getting so much attention there is hope. But yes Ricardolito thus far I am impressed and optimistic.
Yet I say let it go on for awhile and hold the criticism. Perhaps because it is getting so much attention there is hope. But yes Ricardolito thus far I am impressed and optimistic.
You wouldn't happen to be referring to Ricky-right?
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