Merits trial in the Chameleon Case postponed: Hugo Beras and Jochi Gómez will return to court in September
The judicial process that keeps various figures from the public and business spheres in the spotlight due to the so-called Chameleon Case has taken a new turn. The judges of the Third Collegiate Court of the National District made the decision to postpone the trial on the merits being held against the former director of the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (Intrant), Hugo Beras, and the businessman José Ángel Gómez Canaán, popularly known as Jochi Gómez.
The new date for the resumption of the hearings has been set for next September 3rd. This pause will allow the involved parties to continue preparing their arguments and the presentation of the evidentiary elements necessary for the development of this high-profile case.
Accusation details
The Public Prosecutor’s Office bases its accusation on alleged irregularities committed during the process of awarding a state contract. The file indicates that the objective of said agreement was the modernization of the traffic light network of Greater Santo Domingo, a project that was allegedly handled through a scheme designed to fraudulently favor certain sectors.
The Chameleon case remains under strict monitoring due to the strategic importance of the traffic control and signaling system for the urban mobility of the Dominican capital.
For their part, the defendants’ technical defense teams have categorically rejected the allegations made by the authorities, maintaining their stance of innocence regarding the accusations of administrative corruption and other offenses charged in the context of the Intrant tender.
Expectations for the process
The Chameleon Case has generated significant attention in public opinion, not only due to the scope of those involved, which includes former officials and businessmen, but also because of the economic and operational impact represented by the disputed contract. The hearing on September 3rd will be a key moment to advance to the merits stage of the trial, where the court will formally hear the testimonies and evidence that will determine the legal future of the defendants.
