Appointed Secretary of Justice does not recommend 1 FEI for former Senator Eduardo Bhatia

The appointed secretary of the Department of Justice, Domingo Emanuelli, along with the director of the Public Integrity and Affairs Division of the agency’s comptroller, Wanda Cassià, did not recommend the appointment of a Independent Special Prosecutor (FEI) against the former senator of the Democratic People’s Party (PPD), Eduardo Bhatia Gautier.

“In the hours of this morning, Monday, January 25, 2021, a communication was sent to the members of the Panel in which it is not recommended to appoint an Independent Special Prosecutor (FEI) for the Lic. Eduardo Bhatia Gautier, detailed in case number 2020- 31-102-00043 “, Emanuelli said in a press release.

The complaint against Bhatia Gautier was filed on July 28, 2020 in the Department of Justice by the representative of the New Progressive Party (PNP), Josep “Quiquito” Meléndez, who alleged, therefore, that the ex-senator incurred in illicit enrichment and undue influence in pushing and passing Law 72-2015 while leading the upper house.

Meléndez argued that Bhatia Gautier passed the legislation even though he had government bonds. Electricity Authority (AEE) and the Urgent Interest Fund Corporation, known as COFINA. “Preliminary investigation conducted by the staff of the Department of Public Integrity and Affairs of the comptroller of the Department revealed that no elements of crime arise that justify the appointment of an EIF”, Held the appointed holder.