The charges made in March by the General Controller Victor Grimaldi, in which he accuses two Ministers of Industry and Commerce of embezzling money destined for the purchase of stoves for poor families in the national parks, have been disregarded by the National Attorney General, Luis Nelson Pantaleon Gonzalez. On 12 March, Mr. Grimaldi made front page headlines after accusing the current director of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ramon Gonzalez Perez, and its former Minister, Rafael Bello Andino, of presiding over “grave irregularities” in the management of funds destined for the purchase of the stoves. The accusation against Mr. Bello Andino was especially surprising, since he is recognized as one of President Joaquin Balaguer’s closest confidants, most of whom are usually spared from such public charges of fraud and corruption.
Dr. Pantaleon Gonzalez has said that the files on Mr. Gonzalez Perez and Mr. Bello Andino “lack sufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges.” The attorney general received extensive written reports from both of the accused, and claims that he is satisfied that there is not enough to go on to make formal charges.
The purchase of the stoves was to be made through a special fund created by the government tax on unleaded fuel. The purpose was to save trees and prevent their felling for fire wood by families residing in, or near, the national parks.
Mr. Grimaldi responded to Dr. Pantaleon Gonzalez’s decision by claiming that the justice system is not trustworthy, and recommending that the Navy be the organization in charge of the fund and the purchase of the stoves instead of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
10-16 May 1996