Dominican lawmaker pushes back on Menendez-Melgen scandal

Santo Domingo.- Minority FNP party deputy Vinicio Castillo on Monday said his family’s political enemies seek to gain from the indictment against Dominican ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, a case he affirms "has no type of relationship. "

The deputy said the charges against Melgen have to do with his medical practice, "which we regret and harbor the belief that he can show his innocence."

Interviewed on Toque Final, Castillo said Melgen has been one of the best ophthalmologists in the US and the world for many years. "He’s my cousin and is unfortunately going through a difficult situation because Medicare accused him with alleged fraud, but has declared his innocence before a judge and we hope that a fair trial can prove his innocence.”

He said all that Melgen did in this country was to help people. "He’s not a politician, he’s a friend to all of this country’s political leaders, from Juan Bosch to Joaquín Balaguer, whom he operated in his home."

Castillo said there’s a clear political backdrop in the case because Melgen had all these problems in the heels of the scandal by New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez.

"Dr. Melgen and Senator Menendez were charged 15 days ago, the Senator argued that this is a political issue and that he’ll prove the falsehood of the allegations in court. Now we just have to wait for justice to decide."