Deputy Rosa Amalia Pilarte Sentenced to 5 Years for Money Laundering

Rosa Amalia Pilarte, a deputy from the province of La Vega, has been sentenced to five years in prison and fined 200 minimum salaries for money laundering related to drug trafficking. The Second Penal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice handed down the sentence, marking a significant development in a case that has attracted considerable attention.

The court, presided over by Judge Francisco Jerez, convicted Pilarte of violating articles 3 and 9 of Law 155-17 on money laundering and financing of terrorism, in addition to articles 3 and 18 of Law 72-02 on money laundering of assets from illegal drug trafficking. Pilarte will serve her sentence at the Rafey Mujeres Correction and Rehabilitation Center.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the seizure of dozens of assets belonging to Pilarte. These include 13 properties in La Vega and Jarabacoa, comprising parcels of land, buildings, and commercial premises, with a total area exceeding 40,000 square meters. The properties, valued at an unspecified amount, will be confiscated by the state.

Why this matters: This conviction sets a precedent for holding public officials accountable for money laundering and drug trafficking activities. It may lead to increased scrutiny of government officials and a stronger crackdown on organized crime in the Dominican Republic.

The investigation into Pilarte's activities began on June 29, 2020, when the Fiscalía de La Vega raided her residence. The Public Ministry accused Pilarte of leading a criminal network of fronts and straw men, along with her husband Miguel Arturo López Florencio, also known as Miky López, and their two sons. The prosecution argued that Pilarte had acquired multiple properties with the intent to conceal their true ownership, transferring them to a legal entity at prices far below their market value.

Pilarte's defense team, consisting of attorneys Juan Estévez Pérez de la Rosa, Luis Leonardo Félix Ramos, and Amado Gómez Cáceres, requested her acquittal, arguing that the evidence presented by the Public Ministry did not prove that the assets and transfers from Pilarte's accounts were of illegal origin. However, the court found the evidence sufficient to convict her.

The full reading of the sentence has been scheduled for June 19th at 11:00 am. This marks a critical moment in the legal proceedings against Pilarte and her family, who have been implicated in an extensive international drug trafficking network.

This conviction highlights the serious legal consequences of money laundering and drug trafficking activities. The case will continue to be closely monitored, reflecting the ongoing efforts of the Dominican Republic's judicial system to combat organized crime and corruption.

Key Takeaways

• Rosa Amalia Pilarte, a Dominican deputy, sentenced to 5 years in prison for money laundering related to drug trafficking.
• Pilarte fined 200 minimum salaries and will serve sentence at Rafey Mujenes Correction and Rehabilitation Center.
• Court seizes 13 properties in La Vega and Jarabacoa, valued at an unspecified amount, as part of the sentence.
• Pilarte's conviction sets a precedent for holding public officials accountable for money laundering and drug trafficking.
• Case highlights efforts to combat organized crime and corruption in the Dominican Republic's judicial system.