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After a few months of investigation, Office of the independent special commission (Opfei) decided on Monday to assign a special independent special prosecutor (EIF) to investigate those responsible for the failed acquisition of rapid tests of the COVID-19 at the enterprise General contractors Apex following a $ 38 million contract.
The determination takes place despite the fact that Department of Justice recommended that an independent prosecutor not be assigned in the case.
According to a press release, those investigated will be Lilliam Sanchez, Undersecretary of the Interior; Mabel Head, Officer La Fortaleza assigned to the medical team COVID-19, General José Burgos, former Commissioner of the Office of Emergency Management (Nmead); and the lawyer Juan Maldonado, who served as Apex’s attorney in the transaction.
“For its determination, the commission evaluated the affidavits from the tax summary sent by the Court. It follows that several officials and natural persons, without legal authority, have intervened improperly with clearly regulated procurement and procurement processes. This included putting undue pressure on the then-health secretary to sign a million-dollar purchase order within 20 minutes, without following the analysis and rigor required by the regulations.“, Read the statement.
Although the initial complaint included Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced, Opfei’s investigation did not focus on the chief executive.
“However, The group stated that this does not constitute an exemption from liability for the various officials mentioned in the resolution issued. As established by its enabling law, the EIF will have no impediment to determining the extension of the investigation into them if the amount of evidence by which they can present a case before the courts against the other persons mentioned by the court in its report is obtained.“The statement states.
The panel entrusted the investigation to Ramón Mendoza Rosario, a special independent prosecutor, who will be assisted by other prosecutors.
About Sánchez, Cabeza and General Burgos to investigate possible offenses of the Criminal Code for undue influence, undue intervention in government operations, breach of obligations, loss of public funds through action or omission and negligence, misappropriation of public funds and perjury.
They will also inquire about possible violations of the Anti-Corruption Code due to ethical obligations and responsibilities, as well as possible violations of the Government Ethics Law.
As for Mr Maldonado, The investigation will focus on possible crimes of ideological falsity, unjustified interference in government operations, unjustified influence and perjury., respectively. They will also investigate possible violations of the Anti-Corruption Code.
“We are certainly facing a complex case of great public interest in which We have a duty to ensure that no conduct goes unpunished, where human pain during a pandemic could be buried in the face of excessive and insensitive profit motive. and the interest of some to control the processes in order to advance the agendas and the unsuspected advantages ”, supports the resolution of the panel.