Chamber of Accounts hearing

[NewsWhore]

The Senate began the hearing to decide whether the four remaining members of the Chamber of Accounts, the government auditing body, should remain in their posts or be fired. Five other members have resigned amidst accusations of misconduct, nepotism and violations of their role as auditors. President of the Chamber of Accounts, Andres Terrero said that weaknesses in Law 10-04 that rules the Chamber of Accounts have left that organization as a body that merely executes what its nine members decide. Terrero underwent a seven-hour questioning session by the senators to defend himself against accusations of misconduct and mismanagement. The current Chamber of Accounts achieved notoriety shortly after taking office when they authorized almost a doubling of their wages. Terrero says that he is innocent and that he had always opposed the increased salaries and nice perks the Chamber members awarded themselves. Terrero says that the Chamber was divided into two groups: one that followed the law and one group with "a thirst for gold." Although he never detailed any claims of corruption, he said that the members were more interested in obtaining special benefits. Trials will continue tomorrow with the interrogations of Julio de Beras de la Cruz, Alcides A. Decena Lugo and Jose Altagracia Gregorio.

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