Defendants in Operation Onco14 will face charges for fraud, money laundering, and technological crimes

Santo Domingo.- The three former executives linked to the Cibaeño Board Against Cancer arrested during Operation Onco14 will face multiple criminal charges for their alleged participation in a structure that reportedly diverted millions of pesos intended for cancer patients and resources from the National Health Insurance (SeNaSa).

The Public Ministry reported that Héctor Antonio Lora Cruceta, Luisa Yasiris Guzmán and Dilcia Isabel Vargas Sánchez will be brought to justice for criminal association, fraud against the Dominican State, bribery, high-tech crimes and money laundering.

According to the authorities, the investigation indicates that the defendants used various fraudulent maneuvers to embezzle funds managed by the Cibao Regional Oncology Institute (IORC), resources that were intended for the medical care of cancer patients and those affiliated with the SeNaSa subsidized regime.

The operation was executed by the General Directorate of Prosecution of the Public Ministry, the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca), and the Santiago Prosecutor’s Office, with the support of the National Police and the Criminal Investigation Unit (UIC).

You can read: Former executives of the Cibao Oncology Center diverted public funds, the Public Ministry claims

During the raids carried out as part of Operation Onco14, authorities seized a significant amount of evidence that will be incorporated into the judicial process. Among the items seized are cash, a firearm, financial and administrative documents, vehicles, property titles, computers, cell phones, and digital recording equipment (DVR).

According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the investigated structure also allegedly involved the participation of employees and individuals linked to the board of trustees that manages the Cibao Regional Oncology Institute, who allegedly collaborated in the execution of the fraudulent operations.

The authorities maintain that the actions attributed to the defendants caused economic damage to both the Dominican State and the cancer patients who are beneficiaries of public health programs, which is why they classify the case as one of the most sensitive frauds recently investigated within the health sector.