Troubled agency ex chief says his tenure was ´clear and ethical´

Santo Domingo.- Former director State Works Supervisory EngineersOffice (OISOE) Miguel Pimentel Kareh on Monday defended his nearly four-year tenurein the agency, calling it clear and ethical.

Pimentel spoke priorto being questioned by Justice Ministry Anticorruption lead Prosecutor (Pepca)Laura Guerrero Monday afternoon, accompanied by lawyers.

The former officialsaid he accepted the interview toclean his image and that of his family."I have come to the Justice Ministry to stand before the country. Everythinghas been handled in this institution according to the law, clearly and ethically."

When asked about the wrongfuldeath lawsuit filed against him by relatives of architect David Rodriguez, whotook his own life by gunfire in a bathroom in OISOE headquarters, Pimentel saidjustice should do its work and not hinder the investigation. "I think weshould trust Dominican justice, which is a bit slow, because there is a lot ofwork, but don’t get desperate."

The former officialwas subpoenaed for questioning after Rodriguez´s suicide unleashed an allegedring of loan sharks which extorted contractors in the construction mostlypublic school buildings.

Meanwhile OISOE technicaldirector Jose Florencio, the alleged head of the ring, was questioned until 5pmMonday.