Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – A trial is set to begin December 19th concerning a massive fraud case stemming from the Coop-Herrera credit union, where approximately RD$2.5 billion (roughly $44 million USD) was allegedly misappropriated. The case has exposed vulnerabilities in the Dominican Republic’s financial cooperative sector and involves 18 initially implicated individuals, though charges have been dropped against three. Judge Joan rodríguez of the Sixth Court of Instruction in Santo Domingo Oeste detailed the trial date and dismissed accusations against several defendants during a hearing friday,citing insufficient evidence of criminal intent. Simultaneously occurring, two individuals and multiple companies have been declared fugitives as the legal proceedings move forward.
A Dominican court has set December 19th as the start date for the trial of individuals accused in a large-scale fraud involving approximately RD$2.5 billion (roughly $44 million USD) siphoned from the Cooperativa de Ahorros y Crédito Herrera (Coop-Herrera) credit union.
Judge Joan Rodríguez of the Sixth Court of Instruction in Santo Domingo Oeste announced the trial date during a hearing on Friday, November 8th. The case has drawn significant attention in the Dominican Republic, highlighting vulnerabilities within the country’s financial cooperative system.
During the hearing, the judge also ruled that three of the 18 individuals initially implicated in the scheme would be released from accusations due to a lack of sufficient evidence presented by the Public Ministry.
“The Public Ministry has not provided evidence demonstrating that two citizens acted with knowledge of a criminal act, presuming good faith,” Judge Rodríguez stated.
However, the court determined there was enough evidence to proceed with a trial against the remaining defendants.
“The court rejects the accusation presented by the Public Ministry against Kenia del Carmen Liviano Pérez and Ana Cecilia Santos de Alba. Consequently, it issues a ruling in their favor, ordering the cessation of coercive measures and the return of any seized assets that can prove their ownership,” the judge explained.
Franco de los Santos Abreu was also excluded from the legal process.
Defendants Remaining
The court partially accepted the Public Ministry’s accusations and ordered the opening of a trial for Jorge Eligio Méndez, Gabriel Santana Borsilea, Jacer Eliazar Mejía Pereyra, Julio César Minaya Mejía, Simona Borsilea Juan, Emanuel Pozo Borsilea, Cristóbal Mariano, Juan Julián Bryan Richardson, and Carina Elizabet García de la Rosa, all accused of violating various articles of the Dominican Penal Code and specific laws.
Defendants at Large
The court has declared two individuals and several real estate companies as fugitives, as they have failed to appear before the tribunal.
Pedro Bonilla is among those in procedural default, a status formalized through resolution number 1383/2024 SRB 00238, dated September 27, 2024.
A similar order was issued for Manuel Borsilea, through penal resolution number 1383/2024 SRB 00191, dated August 26, 2024.
Additionally, the magistrate declared several companies as fugitives, including Inmobiliaria Villa Pastoral 21 SRL, ByT Diseños y Construcciones SRL, and Conspebo RD SRL.
Also included are commercial entities such as Gabriel Santana SRL, Gabriel Santana Auto World SRL, GSB Music Studio y Producción SRL, and GSB Backroll Academy SRL.
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