Attorney General office has sent the case against Senator Dagoberto Rodriguez (PRD-Independencia) to the Supreme Court of Justice for damages to forestry in the protected Lake Enriquillo area. The case was investigated by environmental prosecutor, Andres Chalas, who documented that the legislator was behind the destruction of a large area in the natural reserve next to the lake. He is being accused of violation of articles 18, 35, 169, 172, 175, 178, 179 of Environment Law 64-00 and article 146 of the Penal Code.
The case will need to be heard in the Supreme Court of Justice because as a legislator he has privileged jurisdiction.
Rodriguez and those under him reportedly opened a trail of 4,144 meters x 30 meters within the protected wetland area.
The state prosecutors say that the legislator never requested permission from the Ministry of Environment to topple the trees that are located within the UNESCO Jaragua Biosphere Reserve.