# Dominican Republic Calamar corruption case

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260915-dominican-republic-calamar-corruption-case
> Updated: 2026-09-15T21:19:42.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 2.

The Dominican Public Ministry has issued a formal indictment in the ‘Calamar case’, involving former Minister of Finance Donald Guerrero and several accomplices. Prosecutors allege a massive corruption scheme that defrauded the Dominican State of more than RD$19 billion.

The indictment claims a criminal structure used the State to enrich themselves and maintain political power through irregular payments for land expropriations in protected areas, such as Cotubanamá National Park and Los Haitises, alongside fraudulent credit assignments and debt recognitions. A significant portion of the diverted funds was allegedly used to finance the 2020 electoral campaign.

The legal proceedings have led to the trial of 35 of the 40 accused individuals. During the process, the court rejected a recusal filed by Mirna Ortiz against Judge Aylin Ventura, even though Ventura issued a dissenting vote arguing that the criminal action had expired due to legal time limits.

## Claims

- The prosecution alleges the defendants used the State as an instrument and corruption as a method to enrich themselves and remain in power. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The alleged scheme defrauded the Dominican State of more than RD$19 billion. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The fraudulent mechanisms included irregular payments for land expropriations and fraudulent credit assignments. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Judge Aylin Ventura issued a dissenting vote arguing that the criminal action had expired due to the maximum legal duration. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Some funds obtained through the scheme were allegedly used to finance the 2020 electoral campaign. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The court rejected a recusal filed by Mirna Ortiz against Judge Aylin Ventura. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-15: Donald Guerrero indicted in RD$19 billion corruption case

The Dominican Public Ministry has indicted former Minister Donald Guerrero and others for a RD$19 billion corruption scheme involving fraudulent land expropriations and illegal campaign financing.

23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-legal-experts-warn-of-public-resource-misuse-in-elections

### 2026-08-27: Two Dominican politicians arrested in US for pandemic aid fraud

Two Dominican politicians, Brian de Peña and Francisco Paulino, were arrested in the US for allegedly defrauding COVID-19 pandemic relief funds totaling over $2.3 million.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/two-dominican-politicians-arrested-in-us-for-pandemic-aid-fraud

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Cite as: Dominican Republic Calamar corruption case. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260915-dominican-republic-calamar-corruption-case