An unnamed high-ranking Dominican official is under
investigation by US Federal officials, according to a report in The New York
Times, based on investigations by the moneylaundering.com website. The US
Federal officials have allegedly formed a plan to seize financial assets
laundered into the US by foreign officials they suspect of public corruption.
The case of Mej?a?s former security chief, Colonel Pedro Julio (Pepe) Goico,
under investigation for major Baninter credit card fraud and later reinstated to
the military in a high-level post by President Mej?a, has been in the press
since a hefty amount of cash was found stashed in an airplane bearing the seal
of the presidential advance team in Florida and Goico was detained.
According to the story, the Miami task force is investigating a widening scandal
over allegations that Dominican banking officials embezzled hundreds of millions
of dollars and gave lavish gifts and payments to government officials.
Lawyers for Ram?n Baez Figueroa, former president of Baninter, responded to the
story, stating that their client is cooperating with the US authorities.
According to the Swiss-based Bank of International Payments, Dominicans have
US$3.77 billion deposited in banks abroad.
To read the story, see
http://www.moneylaundering.com/NewsArticles/NewYorkTimesaug22.htm