The national auditor-general, Victor Grimaldi, better known as a news commentator and politician, said that he is sending President Joaquín Balaguer the files on 574 audits carried out in state organizations, some of which evidence irregularities in the handling of state funds. Since he was appointed, Mr Grimaldi has carried out an inventory check of the files “because there were many that were missing and others that had not been sent to the President.” The audits took place between 1989 and 1996. President Balaguer’s decree 246-93 orders the auditor-general to send “all state officials suspected of irregularities during the exercise of their positions” for judicial examination. At the time the decree was issued, in September 1993, there was much speculation to whether the President would pursue erring government officials through the courts. This has seemed not to be the case. There was even the notable example of one judicial official who, with proof in hand, began to take proceedings against a government officer, only to find himself removed from his post. That was the last time that taking government officials to court was mentioned, as it was apparent that the decree did not have the support of President Balaguer, despite the fact that he had issued it.
The decree states that audits that “result in evidence of irregularities should not only be punished by the competent authorities, but also should be made known to the public. In its second article, it establishes that the legal advisor to the Executive Branch should take whatever measures necessary in order that the audits and their results are publicized in the press.