Former Presidential Supervisor of Public Works and leading political advisor to former President Hipolito Mejia, today senator Hernani Salazar sued lawyer Marino Vinicio (Vincho) Castillo for defamation. He is suing because on TV the lawyer has made comments linking him to former army captain Quirino Ernesto Paulino and to Luis Eduardo Rodriguez Cordero, both arrested in the US for charges of drug smuggling. Salazar is suing Castillo for RD$100 million.
As reported in Diario Libre, Salazar’s lawyer says that Castillo linked Salazar to Bladimir Garcia Jimenez, indicating that they were close friends without presenting proofs. Garcia Jimenez was arrested by the DEA in NY and is an alleged partner of former army captain Quirino Ernesto Paulino Castillo, also arrested for drug smuggling charges.
Deputy Pelegrin Castillo (National District-Fuerza Nacional Progresista) alerted that Salazar should prepare for a great legal battle, where he would have to explain many of his performances while in government. Pelegrin Castillo commented that Salazar finagled to be named senator in order to come under privileged jurisdiction.