Public Ministry appeals sentence in the Antipulpo Case and requests harsher penalties

Santo Domingo.- The Public Ministry reported that it expects the Court of Appeals to revoke the first-degree sentence handed down in the so-called Antipulpo Case, considering that there is sufficient evidence to impose higher sentences against those involved in the scheme that allegedly defrauded the State of more than RD$4,000 million. The head of the General Directorate of Prosecution, Wilson Camacho, explained that the accusing body appealed both the convictions and the acquittals issued by the court. “We are waiting for the Court to set a hearing to defend our appeals”, he said.

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In its appeal, the Public Ministry requests that Juan Alexis Medina Sánchez's sentence be increased from seven to 20 years in prison, in addition to a fine equivalent to 400 minimum wages. For José Dolores Santana Carmona, it requests 15 years in prison, the same fine, and civic degradation. In the case of Fernando Aquilino Rosa Rosa, acquitted in the first instance, the prosecuting body requests ten years in prison and a fine of 400 minimum wages. It also demands sentences of ten years and similar economic sanctions for Carmen Magalys Medina Sánchez and Wacal Vernabel Méndez Pineda, among other defendants. For several defendants, the Public Ministry is seeking sentences of ten years and fines of 200 minimum wages, while for others it requests five years in prison —some with suspended sentences— in addition to financial penalties and civic degradation. Likewise, it maintains its request for sanctions against several companies linked to the process, including prohibition from contracting with the State, dissolution, and fines. In the first instance ruling, the court sentenced Medina Sánchez to seven years in prison for bribery, money laundering, use of false documents, and association of wrongdoers. Other individuals received sentences of between five and six years, while several defendants and companies were acquitted. The Public Ministry insists that the decision should be reviewed so that, in its opinion, the sanctions correspond to the magnitude of the damage caused to the Dominican State.