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Vinicio Castillo S. outside the courtroom today.
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SANTO DOMINGO.- The former banker Ramon Báez Figueroa’s defense attorneys on Thursday morning tried to prove he didn’t launder Baninter bank assets in the US$2.5 billion fraud case, arguing against any punishment for that alleged crime.

Juárez and Vinicio Castillo rebuked the Justice Ministry’s and the civil plaintiffs’ accusations against Báez Figueroa, as they seek since yesterday to show through videos and documents that the operations carried out in Baninter, including the purchase of media outlets, were conducted legally.

Juárez Castillo cited as an example the purchase of the major news network RNN, which he said was done in such a legal and public manner that even then president  the Republic Hipólito Mejía and the cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez participated in its inaugural.

In yesterday’s hearing, attorneys for the monetary and financial authorities motioned to include money laundering charges and in consequence, for a 20-year prison sentence against Báez Figueroa. Civil plaintiff’s lawyer is Jose Lorenzo Fermín.

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Written by: juanfromnyc, 21 Feb 2008 9:45 PM
From: Dominican Republic
There is no doubt that the very size of the money involve makes this case a very difficult one to crack. If billions were involved during more than one presidential administration, then it is the old rule of "Hoy por ti y manana por mi" that applies. How can a thief accuse another thief of stealing? There will be an attempt at justice that will fall short of it. The money has too many friends in high places. Besides, politicians believe the country's money is theirs.
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Written by: LRespect, 22 Feb 2008 10:08 AM
From: Dominican Republic
I think they should all go to jail just for knowing what was going on. To me they're all guilty!
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Written by: BLANCO, 23 Feb 2008 12:14 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Only four my friend MEJIA, MALKUN, CALDRON, AND "ANDY DAHAJURIE"THE BRAIN"
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Written by: juliony, 24 Feb 2008 11:59 AM
From: United States, New YOrk
La corrucion de Banniter empezo en el gobierno de Leonel.. y los contadores publicos son tan culpables como los mismo duegnos que administraban el banco.
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