Two years after major protests, prosecutors present charges against 13 in multi-million dollar real estate scam
The Dominican Republic’s Attorney General’s Office has formally charged 13 individuals and two companies in connection with an alleged multi-million dollar real estate scam that defrauded over 500 people.
The indictment, filed with the coordinating judge of the National District’s courts, Kenya Romero, names Emmanuel Rivera Ledesma, Emmanuel Eduardo Rivera Pichardo, Mirna Catalina Rivera Ledesma, Juan Omar Rosario López, Reilin Arismendy Rosario García, Escarlet Mercedes Cruz Figueroa, María Gabriela Rivera, and companies Indisarq, SRL and CRD Equipos Pesados, SRL as defendants.
Newly added to the list of accused are Erick Joan Dorrejo Medina, Wilton Manuel Peralta Brito, Moisés Benjamín Castro Balbi, and Franklin Benjamín Martínez Jokson.
Led by Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso, prosecutors Andrés Octavio Mena and Surelis Jáquez spearheaded the investigation and prepared the case. The indictment will be randomly assigned to a court for a preliminary hearing.
The defendants face charges including fraud, document forgery, criminal association, and money laundering. The prosecution alleges that the criminal network used Indisarq, SRL and CRD Equipos Pesados, SRL to execute the fraud, offering non-existent properties in supposed real estate projects.
Investigators found that these companies failed to meet their tax obligations to the Tax Agency (DGII), constituting tax fraud. The total estimated loss to victims is over RD$235 million (approximately US$4 million) and more than US$10 million.
During the investigation, authorities seized various assets, including houses, apartments, vehicles, and heavy machinery, purchased with funds obtained from the victims. These assets were reportedly used to fund the defendants’ lavish lifestyles.
Following 25 raids in San Cristóbal, Dajabón, Espaillat, Sánchez Ramírez, and the National District, authorities dismantled the network. Evidence suggests that ring leader Emmanuel Rivera Ledesma used the names of public figures to gain the victims’ trust. When the investigation began, he allegedly tried to dissuade victims from pressing charges by offering new fraudulent contracts.
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N Digital
2 October 2024