DominicanToday.com - The Justice Ministry’s Anti-Corruption Department (DPCA) on Monday charged the former director of the now defunct Blackouts Reduction Program (PRA), Marcos Lara, as well as the financial director Nicolas Conception and administrative manager Sauris Rodriguez with embezzling State funds.

DPCA director Hotoniel Bonilla submitted the indictment to the National District Instruction Court, containing the alleged evidence against the officials of the PRA, an agency of the State-owned Power Companies (CDEEE).

The DPCA also asked the court to set bail at RD$3.0 million each for the three ex officials and an impediment to exit the country.

Media reports at the beginning of March denouncing the PRA’s alleged irregularities sparked the investigation, such as the malfeasance of funds in the purchase of construction equipment for private use, the violation of the procedures and controls for hiring personnel and the illegal garnishing of paychecks of its officials and employees, as a subsequent CDEEE audit uncovered.

In a statement the DPCA said the audit found that the PRA’s senior staff diverted hardware and construction materials which would’ve been used to remodel two of its offices, to private locales for a planned political project called the “Christian Renovator movement.”