President Leonel Fernandez fired embattled Deputy Public Works Minister Carlos Polibio (Kalil) Michel Presbot and sent head of the National Investigation Department (DNI) general Manuel de Jesus Florentino Florentino to a lesser job.
Kalil was left out in the cold and replaced by architect Jesus Antonio Musa Hazim. The general was put in charge of the Armed Forces Reserves, which is like being sent to Pedernales. The President also changed the commanding generals of the first, fifth and sixth brigades of the Army. In place of general Florentino, the President placed general Damian Castro Cruz.
According to the El Caribe, the firing of Kalil Michel comes on the heels of the investigation surrounding his role as the government’s representative in the negotiations with the Bohenco company that was supposed to honor its US$2,944,742 contract to furnish and decorate the new Supreme Court building.
Earlier this week, the official had placed his position at the disposition of the President in order to put an end to the gossip surrounding his actions in the furnishings and decoration of the new site. It was also revealed, earlier this week, that Kalil Michel had sold two luxurious apartments to the wife of Quirino Paulino Castillo, the accused drug trafficker under indictment in the United States. Michel denied ever meeting the man, claiming to deal with a real estate agent and Belkis Ubri, Quirino’s wife.
Another apparent victim by association was General Florentino who had admitted earlier this year that he has known Quirino since they were children.