TV investigative journalist Nuria Piera did a follow-up segment and presented more evidence that the state prosecutors need to be looking into the rapidly growing fortune of new Youth Minister Kinsberly (Kimberly) Taveras. On Saturday, 17 October, Piera mentioned the close ties Taveras has with higher up officials in the ruling political party and in the new government. She mentioned that Taveras had sold her expensive home in Arroyo Hondo to the new Public Works minister Deligne Ascención.
Taveras has demanded that the authorities determine whether there has been any wrongdoings in her dealings. The 33-year old Abinader cabinet member declared a fortune of RD$106 million. Piera aired evidence of major irregularities and a scheme for profiteering from ties in government.
Taveras’ new boyfriend is Jheyson García Castillo, the son of high-ranking PRM politician, former deputy Josefa Castillo. He is a former city councilor for Boca Chica. Piera says he was incidental in securing contract work for Tavares’ garbage truck rental business in Boca Chica.
Meanwhile, Castillo has proposed her son to inherit her position in Congress after she resigned to take the position of Superintendent of Insurance. He had run for mayor of Boca Chica but lost to Fermín Brito of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD). The Chamber of Deputies has sat on the decision since Castillo was named to the Superintendence of Insurance on 16 August 2020.
The director of Ethics of the Abinader government, Milagros Ortíz Bosch says she has sent a letter to Attorney General Miriam German asking for the prosecutors to give priority to an investigation into the allegations of violation of the law by Taveras. A chemical engineer from the state university, Taveras has served as mayor in La Guayiga and Pedro Brand in northern Santo Domingo province
Journalist Nuria Piera sees the evidence presented on her investigative journalism television program as an opportunity for the new Abinader administration to keep his word that he would not tolerate corruption in his government.
Follow the story in Spanish:
Hoy
Acento
Listin Diario
DR1 News
DR1 News
18 October 2020