Banreservas Manager Seeks Acquittal in Coral 5G Corruption Case

Esmeralda Ortega Polanco, former manager of a Banreservas branch, has requested acquittal in the high-profile Coral 5G corruption case. Her defense argues she was not a public official and therefore cannot be held criminally responsible for the alleged actions, as detailed in the accusations against her.

Defense Arguments Focus on Employment Status

Attorney Francisco Manzano, representing Ortega Polanco, emphasized to the First Collegiate Court of the National District that his client was employed under a standard employment contract. He presented certification confirming her status as a regular employee, hired, promoted and compensated accordingly. “Is she a civil servant? Of course not,” Manzano stated, clarifying that the role of a civil servant necessitates legally conferred powers and direct management of public funds – elements he asserts are absent in Ortega Polanco’s case.

Background: The Coral 5G Case

The Coral 5G case, and its predecessor Coral, centers around allegations of corruption involving high-ranking military and police officials. The Public Ministry alleges that Ortega Polanco facilitated preferential treatment and the processing of large sums of money without triggering standard financial alerts.

Investigations revealed that Ortega Polanco’s family members were also employed by the Presidential Security Corps (Cuerpo de Seguridad Presidencial) and that her sister’s company allegedly received substantial contracts from the same institution, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Allegations Against Ortega Polanco

According to the Public Ministry, Ortega Polanco acted as a key facilitator, circumventing financial controls by failing to report suspicious transactions and cash deposits. She is accused of providing assistance to Colonel Rafael Núñez de Aza, an accused in the initial Coral case, and allegedly gave instructions for transfers and prepared loans in his name, even when the beneficiaries did not sign the deposits.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The trial is currently in the rebuttal phase, with defense attorneys presenting their arguments against the evidence presented by the Public Ministry. Defense lawyers have argued that the sheer volume of evidence presented by the prosecution is confusing and lacks direct relevance to the accused military and police officials.

The case continues to draw significant public attention as one of the largest corruption scandals in recent Dominican Republic history.