FEI appointed to investigate those responsible for the failed purchase of Apex’s COVID-19 rapid tests

by

After several months of research, the Bureau for the independent special panel (Opfei) decided this Monday to appoint a Special Independent Special Prosecutor (FEI) to investigate those responsible for the failed purchase of rapid tests of COVID-19 to the company Apex General Contractors after a $ 38 million contract.

The determination takes place despite the fact that the Justice It advised not to appoint an independent prosecutor for the case.

According to a press release, the persons investigated are Lilliam Sanchez, Undersecretary of the Interior; Mabel Head, La Fortaleza official assigned to the COVID-19 Medical Task Force, the General José Burgos, former Commissioner of the Emergency Management Bureau (Nmead); and the lawyer Juan Maldonado, who was Apex’s attorney on the transaction.

“For the determination, the panel evaluated the affidavits in the Justice tax statement. This shows that various officials and individuals, without legal authority, have interfered inappropriately in clearly regulated purchasing and acquisition processes. This included putting undue pressure on the then Acting Secretary of Health to sign a millionaire buy-back in 20 minutes without following the analysis and accuracy required by regulationsReads the statement.

While the initial reference included Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced, the Opfei investigation did not focus on the first executive.

However, Specifically, the panel was that this is not an exemption from responsibility for various officials mentioned in the resolution. As provided by its enabling law, there will be no impediment for the FEI to decide to expand their investigation into it, in order to obtain the amount of evidence that will allow them to file a case in court against the other persons referred to by Justice in its reportReads the statement.

The panel entrusted the investigation to Ramón Mendoza Rosario, an independent special prosecutor who will be assisted by other prosecutors.

About Sánchez, Cabeza and General Burgos investigate potential violations of the Criminal Code for undue influence, improper intervention in government operations, dereliction of duty, loss of government resources through act or omission and negligence, misappropriation of public funds and perjury.

Likewise, they will inquire about possible violations of the Anti-Corruption Code due to ethical obligations and responsibilities, as well as possible violations of government ethical law.

As for Mr. Maldonado, The investigation will focus on possible violations for ideological untruth, improper intervention in government operations, undue influence and perjury, respectively. Likewise, they will investigate possible violations of the Anti-Corruption Code.

“We are certainly dealing with a complex case of great public interest, true We have a duty to ensure that no behavior goes unpunished where human pain can be buried during a pandemic in the face of an excessive and insensitive profit motive and the importance of some in mastering the processes to advance agendas and unexpected benefits, ”confirms the panel’s resolution.

.Source