The high-profile corruption case centered on alleged sabotage of the nation’s traffic light system and terrorism took another procedural turn this week as state representatives demanded a RD$12.707 billion (US$215 million) in civil damages.
The Sixth Court of Instruction of the National District, presided over by Magistrate Yanibet Rivas, postponed the preliminary hearing for 9 February 2026. The victims in the case include the Dominican state, the Ministry of Defense, and the Intrant itself.
The claim, filed strictly within the civil jurisdiction, is against National Institute of Traffic and Terrestrial Transport (Intrant) former director Hugo Beras, businessman José Ángel Gómez Canaan (Jochi), and other individuals implicated in the sweeping scandal.
The Public Ministry has levied serious criminal charges against the accused, including falsification of documents and criminal association, in addition to the allegations of corruption, traffic system sabotage, and terrorism.
The investigation was triggered by irregularities discovered in a contract, valued at over RD$1.3 billion, with the company Transcore Latam. Following the contract’s suspension, the Greater Santo Domingo traffic light system infamously went dark on two occasions, plunging major avenues into chaos.
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El Nuevo Diario
16 December 2025