Public Ministry announces appeal after ruling in the Antipulpo case; Alexis Medina sentenced to 7 years

Santo Domingo.- The Public Ministry described the sentence of the Second Collegiate Tribunal of the National District as having “lights and shadows” and announced that it will appeal the acquittals handed down to several defendants. The court imposed 7 years in prison on Juan Alexis Medina Sánchez for bribery in commerce and investment, money laundering, use of false documents, and association of wrongdoers. It also ordered seizures, sanctioned related companies, and set a joint payment of RD$500 million to the State. José Dolores Santana Carmona received 6 years. Wacal Vernabel Méndez Pineda, Francisco Ramón Brea Morel, Carlos Martín Montes de Oca, Rigoberto Alcántara Batista, Paola Mercedes and Víctor Matías Encarnación obtained 5 years; in the case of Encarnación, with suspension under rules. The sentences must be served in Najayo Hombres and Najayo Mujeres, in San Cristóbal, and criminal costs were imposed. They were acquitted, among others, Fernando Rosa, Carmen Magalys Medina Sánchez and Freddy Hidalgo. The Public Ministry maintained that these dismissals stem from an incorrect assessment of the evidence and indicated that it will file an appeal. The full reading of the ruling was scheduled for September 25.