The appointed Justice Minister is not recommending an EIF for former Senator Eduardo Bhatia

The designated secretary of the Justice, Domingo Emanuelli, along with the director of the agency’s Public Integrity and Auditor Affairs Division, Wanda Casiano, today announced the appointment of a Independent Special Prosecutor (FEI) against the former senator of the People’s Democratic Party (PPD), Eduardo Bhatia Gautier.

In the morning hours of today, Monday January 25, 2021, a message was sent to members of the panel outlining the appointment of a Special Independent Prosecutor (FEI) for Atty. Eduardo Bhatia Gautier, detailed in case number 2020-31-102-00043 ″Emanuelli said in a press release.

The complaint against Bhatia Gautier was filed with the Ministry of Justice on July 28, 2020 by the representative of the New Progressive Party (PNP), José “Quiquito” Meléndez, who then alleged that the former senator suffered ill-fortune and influence inappropriately at promoting and approving Law 72-2015 while chairing the Senate.

Meléndez argued that Bhatia Gautier approved of the legislation, even though he had bonds from the Authority for electricity (AEE) and the Urgent Interest Fund Corporation known as COFINA. “The preliminary investigation conducted by the staff of the Department’s Public Integrity and Auditor Affairs Department revealed that there are no elements of crime that warrant the appointment of an FEI”the designated holder is retained.