NewsWhore
08-31-2007, 02:30 PM
Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez defended himself during questioning in the Chamber of Deputies yesterday, indicating that he has always been transparent in his dealings as a real estate businessman.
The Chamber of Deputies had summoned him alleging conflicts of interest between his work at the Ministry as an industry regulator and his work as a tourism industry entrepreneur. During the session, Jimenez confirmed that he is a shareholder in the Vista Mare tourism project in Samana and Stanza Mare in Bavaro.
Vista Mare was criticized for receiving presidential authorization to build within the 60-meter beach strip and initiating construction without Ministry of Environment permits, and Stanza Mare came within an area where density was increased.
Jimenez said that he does not hide his ownership of real estate developments, and openly uses his own name or those of relatives in the company formation documents.
He said that he is not managing any company after having been appointed minister of tourism, and emphasized that he has been in real estate for 32 years.
He said that those who question the fact that he is both a regulator and investor should look back to the precedents set by Eligio Jaquez, Hipolito Mejia, Ramon Baez Romano and Bolivar Ortiz, and dozens of other government officials whose decisions might have favored their companies.
Jimenez recently sued El Caribe for RD$100 million for publishing a commentary by journalist Daniel Garcia Archibald questioning his participation in tourism companies. He later withdrew the suit from the newspaper but maintained it against the journalist. Jimenez has threatened to sue anyone who publicly defames him.
Jimenez in his presentations criticized PRD presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado who he said has investments in the name of third parties with Carlos Sanchez, who is involved in the Marbella real estate scandal in Spain.
The Chamber of Deputies did not allow TV crews to film yesterday's session.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
The Chamber of Deputies had summoned him alleging conflicts of interest between his work at the Ministry as an industry regulator and his work as a tourism industry entrepreneur. During the session, Jimenez confirmed that he is a shareholder in the Vista Mare tourism project in Samana and Stanza Mare in Bavaro.
Vista Mare was criticized for receiving presidential authorization to build within the 60-meter beach strip and initiating construction without Ministry of Environment permits, and Stanza Mare came within an area where density was increased.
Jimenez said that he does not hide his ownership of real estate developments, and openly uses his own name or those of relatives in the company formation documents.
He said that he is not managing any company after having been appointed minister of tourism, and emphasized that he has been in real estate for 32 years.
He said that those who question the fact that he is both a regulator and investor should look back to the precedents set by Eligio Jaquez, Hipolito Mejia, Ramon Baez Romano and Bolivar Ortiz, and dozens of other government officials whose decisions might have favored their companies.
Jimenez recently sued El Caribe for RD$100 million for publishing a commentary by journalist Daniel Garcia Archibald questioning his participation in tourism companies. He later withdrew the suit from the newspaper but maintained it against the journalist. Jimenez has threatened to sue anyone who publicly defames him.
Jimenez in his presentations criticized PRD presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado who he said has investments in the name of third parties with Carlos Sanchez, who is involved in the Marbella real estate scandal in Spain.
The Chamber of Deputies did not allow TV crews to film yesterday's session.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)