Justice releases ex-director of casinos DR after agreement
The court approved a "criterion of opportunity" for Oscar Arturo Chalas Guerrero. The former official returned 20 million pesos in assets and provided key testimonies about a network of irregular charges to illegal betting shops.
A court in the Dominican Republic has formalized the release of the former director of Casinos and Gambling, Oscar Arturo Chalas Guerrero, after validating a collaboration agreement with the Public Prosecutor's Office. The judicial decision is based on the voluntary surrender of million-dollar assets and the provision of evidence indicating the existence of a corruption structure linked to former government ministers.
Judge Altagracia Ramírez, of the Fourth Instruction Court of the National District, ratified the measure after considering that the information provided by Chalas Guerrero has been "relevant and useful" to identify the involvement of other individuals implicated in the scheme.
Restitution of funds and assets to the State
As part of the judicial agreement, the former regulator returned a total of 20 million pesos (approximately USD 330,000 / R$ 1.8 million) to the Dominican State. The return was broken down as follows:
- Cash: 17 million pesos through certified checks.
- Luxury goods: Two high-end vehicles (an Audi Q7 and a Volvo XC90) valued at approximately three million pesos.
The illegal betting scheme
During his testimony before the court, Chalas Guerrero provided details about the operation of the so-called "mafia structure." According to the former official, irregular charges were made to betting shops operating without authorization, with monthly fees ranging between 3,000 and 6,500 pesos per establishment to allow them to continue their activity.
Chalas Guerrero directly pointed to the former Minister of Finance, Donald Guerrero, as being aware of these operations. According to his testimony, although it was initially proposed to stop the irregular charges, the former minister allegedly ordered the scheme to be reinstated after observing a decrease in revenue derived from these betting shops operating outside the formal system.
Procedural status of those involved
With the approval of this criterion of opportunity, the judge ordered the cessation of all precautionary measures against Chalas Guerrero, including the travel ban.
The judicial process continues against other former cabinet members, including Gonzalo Castillo, José Ramón Peralta, and Donald Guerrero himself, who remain under investigation for their alleged involvement in this corruption scheme that has shaken the foundations of gambling regulation in the country.
Tags: Dominican Republic, Republica Dominicana casinos, illegal casinos in the Dominican Republic