The controversial former chief of security for the President, Colonel Pedro Julio (Pepe) Goico, was released from detention at special facilities at the Ministry of Armed Forces, on terms of bail on Friday at 7:35pm, after a favorable ruling was rendered by the Supreme Court.
This is Goico?s second release on the conditions of bail; at the time of his most recent arrest (for charges related to the fraudulent use of a Baninter credit card supposed to cover expenditures of the President) he was already free on bail. Goico had pending against him a RD$90-million indictment for defrauding the state and connected to his work at the National Lottery. Upon his release he thanked President Mejia for his solidarity.
Also benefiting from the RD$5-million bail grant were Captain Alberto Torres Pezotti and Sargeant Pedro Diaz, who were also involved in the credit card fiasco. The Supreme Court decision prohibits the three men from leaving the country and suspends them from military service for the duration of the bail period.
Guillermo Moreno, a former attorney general, told Hoy newspaper that the release of Goico is another defeat in the fight against corruption and proves that the Supreme Court of Justice will bend to political pressures. Moreno criticized the Supreme Court for not taking into consideration the fact that Goico was already free on bail. Baninter declined to press charges in the matter, making a trial against Goico something of an uncertainty.