They're asking for Maxy Montilla to go to jail, not just for a refund.

Several legislators from different parties agreed Thursday that the agreement reached by the Public Ministry with Maxy Montilla , brother-in-law of former President Danilo Medina, cannot be limited to the return of resources to the State.

They argue that criminal penalties should be included to serve as an example and avoid setting a bad precedent that encourages officials to "steal a lot" with lenient penalties.

The spokesman for the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) in the Chamber of Deputies , Gustavo Sánchez, recalled that since the beginning of the investigations they have always defended due process, but insisted that the acts committed by those close to Medina constitute crimes that cannot be reduced to simple economic agreements .

The legislator asserted that the Public Ministry 's negotiation is insufficient because it is a criminal offense that warrants imprisonment . "Maxy should go to jail because that agreement sends the wrong message ," he stated, noting that the defendant himself admitted to violating the law.

Without privileges

PLD deputy Danilo Díaz stated that Montilla was never a member of the PLD or a government official, but rather a private supplier, and he considered that, in the event of irregularities , he should have been brought to justice and not received " privileges " through agreements approved by a judge.

For Díaz, the lack of criminal sanctions leaves many questions and gives the impression of preferential treatment. He also expressed his disagreement with the process ending only in a financial refund .

"What we don't understand is why that privilege, what that privilege is, and why it is used," he questioned, highlighting that the case has been used politically against the PLD.

From the ruling party, PRM deputy Soraya Suárez said the agreement sends the wrong message and explained that if Montilla returned the money, it was because he acknowledged that he benefited from corruption , and therefore, simply handing over the funds is not enough; he must also respond in court with sanctions that include imprisonment.

"Steal whatever you want, I'll take a tiny bit of it from you, and with that, you'll make up for the damage you did to an entire country. That's the message being sent," he criticized.

Charlie Mariotti Jr., a PLD deputy, insisted that criminal responsibility is individual and that those who committed irregularities must face consequences that go beyond judicial agreements .

He defended the administration of former President Danilo Medina, but stated that the facts admitted by Montilla affect the institutionality and confidence in the Dominican State , and therefore should not be resolved solely in the civil sphere.

The spokesperson for the Fuerza del Pueblo in the Chamber of Deputies , Rafael Castillo, expressed concern about the lack of clear information about the agreement reached by the Public Ministry and recalled that, although Montilla had been under investigation for months, the public does not know exactly what was negotiated and what the terms were for returning nearly 3 billion pesos .

"That agreement is an incentive for other people so that tomorrow they can do it for a higher value," he warned.

The agreement

In an agreement with the Attorney General's Office, Medina's brother-in-law, Maxy Montilla , handed over approximately 3 billion pesos that he obtained from rigged contracts discovered through the anti-octopus operation .

Although the embezzlements occurred during Medina's administration , the former president clarified that he does not have a close relationship with the suspect and that he was unaware of his illegal actions .

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