2003News

RD$40-million fraud deemed correctional offense

The Court of Appeals of Santo Domingo has annulled the criminal classification given to the case of the RD$40 million in fraudulent charges transacted with a Baninter credit card by Colonel Pedro Julio (Pepe) Goico and family members. The reason given for the annulment of the criminal classification was that the formalities required to process the case as such had not been met. State Prosecutor M?ximo Aristy Caraballo had originally graded the case as correctional, an assessment that was later rejected by Judge Nancy Joaqu?n Guzm?n. Former Attorney General Virgilio Bello was also adamant that the case be tried in the criminal courts and resigned over the matter. Goico had been the security chief of President Hip?lito Mej?a up until the moment of the accusations, however, Baninter later withdrew its formal complaint, saying that the insurance company would cover their losses.