The headline story of the week is the direct attack by the Controller of the Nation, Victor Grimaldi, on key government officials with clear accusations of corruption, reportedly with proof in hand. The allegations have ranged from those against the Minister of Industry and Commerce, José Ramón González Hardy, saying that funds were used for purchases made from non-existent companies, to the Minister of Finance, Roberto Martínez Villanueva, for the misuse of the Dominican Republic’s Account at the Banco de Reservas, the largest Dominican bank and the one used by most government institutions. The present administrator of the Banco de Reservas, Eligio Bisonó, has challenged the controller to provide proof of his so-called abnormalities although Mr Grimaldi’s accusations, which include names, have not involved him.
Political analysts say that there is clearly a political motivation behind the use of Víctor Grimaldi, known as a television economic observer and press analyst. Grimaldi attained national notoriety as one of Juan Bosch’s men of confidence who, during the crucial days following the controversial election in 1990, said that Professor Bosch had lost to Dr Balaguer, and thus left the PLD. It has also been said that Mr Grimaldi is a frustrated governor of the Central Bank as he had requested the post from the President on several occasions without success.
When Vice President Jacinto Peynado was asked about the accusation of the missing RD$2,400 million from the Dominican Republic Account in the Banco Reservas, he said he expected the matter to be cleared up and an “I was mistaken” to be announced soon by Mr Grimaldi.
On Wednesday 27 March, the Minister of Finance, Roberto Martínez Villanueva, in the company of Rafael Augusto Collado, the National Budget director and Frank Nicolás Goico, Treasurer, explained the destiny of the RD$2,400 million.
One observer optimistically feels that Dr Balaguer is seeking to send a message to his subordinates not to engage in rampant corruption. Some political observers speculate that the President wants to restrain public officers, who knowing they will most likely be out of jobs on 16 August may try to milk the State for all that they can obtain to fill their pockets, which would leave an even greater taint on his government already known for rampant corruption.
Mr Grimaldi, for instance, while criticizing the handling of a program for stove and gas cylinders managed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, has said that the irregularities have intensified over the last few weeks.
Others have commented that signaling the corruption in the PRSC government does not benefit Jacinto Peynado’s campaign. He is currently in third place according to the opinion polls.