Dominican Public Officials Imprisoned over Odebrecht Scandal

Brazil's Operation Car Wash investigations involving the Odebrecht construction conglomerate stretch well beyond the country's borders.

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Reuters reported Thursday that several suspects involved in the international bribery scandal were arrested in the Dominican Republic. They will remain imprisoned until their trial is heard in court.

Angel Rondon, a lobbyist for Odebrecht, is accused of overseeing bribery payments to government officials, lawmakers and others amounting to US$92 million. Though he denies the accusations, prosecutors allege that the bribes were paid to guarantee that Odebrecht would obtain major public construction contracts.

Overseeing the case is Judge Francisco Ortega. He ruled that Rondon should be imprisoned for a year.

Dominican authorities detained almost a dozen people last week related to the investigations. The charges include money laundering, conspiracy to commit a felony and receiving bribes.

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Former Public Works Minister Victor Diaz Rua and Trade Minister Temistocles Montas are just two of the many public officials facing prosecution.

Judge Ortega ordered these defendants and others under investigation to be imprisoned between six and nine months, or placed under house arrest, while awaiting trial.

Late last year, Odebrecht officials, along with its petrochemical subsidiary Braskem, have cooperated with Brazil's federal police to reveal bribes that were paid to public officials in Latin America. Since then, Latin American authorities have been making arrests of those cited in the ongoing investigations.