Court upholds pre-trial detention for suspect in Santiago Mayor's office fraud case

A Santiago court has maintained the pre-trial detention of Suleiny Esther Amador, a central figure in a significant electronic fraud scheme targeting the Santiago Mayor's office. The court ruled to keep Amador in custody for another three months, a decision that comes as the Public Ministry prepares to file its formal accusation.

Amador is accused of involvement in the illegal transfer of RD$3,435,120 from a Santiago Mayor's office account. The fraud was uncovered on April 24, 2026, when the Banreservas Electronic Investigations Department flagged unauthorized access. Five electronic transfers were subsequently executed, with the funds allegedly moved to accounts belonging to individuals connected to the suspects.

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In today's review, pre-trial detention was maintained and we will await the accusation to be presented shortly.

While Amador remains detained, other individuals implicated in the case, including Yafermy García Araujo and Elide Miguelina de las Mercedes, have had their pre-trial measures altered. They are now subject to financial guarantees instead of imprisonment. Jorge Miguel Rivas Medina and others are still under investigation for their potential roles in the scheme. The Mayor's office has filed a civil lawsuit to recover the stolen funds, and authorities reported that some suspects were apprehended while attempting to withdraw the illicitly transferred money, aiding the investigation.

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In today's review, pre-trial detention was maintained and we will await the accusation to be presented shortly.