Audit reveals unsupported payments of over RD$46 million in the Treasury to telecommunications, insurance, and consulting companies

Santo Domingo – The Chamber of Accounts identified that the Ministry of Finance made payments of more than RD$46 million between 2019 and 2020 without the documentation required by the Public Procurement Law. The finding is in Annex 4 of the audit report, where contracts lacking evidence of execution, signed copies, or records before the Comptroller General of the Republic are listed.

Among the questioned payments, one of RD$12,164,436 to Wind Telecom stands out, corresponding to the renewal of a telecommunications contract without a copy of the agreement or record of formal approval. Another significant payment was for RD$15,305,143 to Humano Seguro Internacional for an international medical policy (Global Health Master) for the period 2019–2020, without evidence of a contract or renewal certification.

Furthermore, the report indicates that an additional RD$10,124,679 was disbursed to the same insurance company for a new policy for the period 2020–2021, also without the required documents. In the case of Global Knowledge Link, INC, the Treasury paid RD$182,536 for “support for annual operational plans,” without attaching proof of the advisory or consulting services provided.

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Similarly, other entities are listed such as AOR DOMINICANA SA, with a total of RD$ 8,574,316 for television commercial services without monitoring evidence and the contractor Manuel Antonio Torreira Bodden, with RD$229,445 whose payment was observed due to the lack of evidence in consulting services provided.

These payments were made under payment orders issued on different dates, including February 13, January 29, July 13 and December 30, 2020, without sufficient support. The Accounts Chamber concluded that such irregularities compromise the transparency of public spending and could constitute administrative or criminal liability.

The oversight body recommended that the Ministry of Finance review and internally audit these contracting processes, and strengthen its pre-payment control mechanisms. Furthermore, it warned that any similar omission in future administrations must be referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office, as established by Law 10-04 on the Chamber of Accounts.