Diario Libre reports that, contrary to what he said one week ago, PRD campaign director Eligio Jaquez said yesterday that he, Pastora Mendez de Fondeur and Ana Maria Acevedo went to Baninter for a loan of RD$34 million under their own names. He explained that they needed the funds as resources for the elections of 2002. A week ago Jaquez had stated that the money from Baninter had been taken out in the name of the PRD, as reported in the Listin Diario on 24 March.
Jaquez denied Baez Figueroa’s defense lawyers’ allegations that they “extorted” Baninter officials in order to receive the disbursement, which included a RD$15-million loan and an open line of credit of RD$34 million. When asked why Baninter was so generous with their loans, Jaquez replied, “Bank contributions are completely normal in campaigns.”
Court proceedings in this case are scheduled to continue on 15 April.