By Dolores Vicioso
Copyright dr1
A court in the Dominican Republic has sentenced Jairo Joel González Durán to eight years in prison for orchestrating a sprawling cryptocurrency and foreign exchange scam that defrauded hundreds of victims out of millions of dollars, El Nacional reports.
The Third Collegiate Court of the National District also ordered González to pay a fine of 300 times the minimum wage for the financial sector. His associate, Kelmin Santos RodrÃguez, received a five-year suspended sentence and a 100-times minimum wage fine.
According to prosecutors, the convicted used digital platforms to lure more than 400 investors, promising safe returns on investments in a market they were not authorized to operate in. The fraud exceeded US$15 million, RD$34 million, and more than 3 million in Tether (USDT).
As part of his suspended sentence, Santos RodrÃguez is required to live at a fixed address, abstain from excessive alcohol use and carrying weapons, complete 60 hours of community service, and enroll in a vocational course. His sentence can be revoked if he violates these rules or commits a new offense.
While González and Santos RodrÃguez were convicted, the court acquitted three other defendants: Moisés González, Leandro González, and William MartÃnez.
The court also excluded the more severe charges of money laundering and electronic fraud, which prosecutors had sought. The prosecution had asked for a much harsher sentence for González—20 years in prison, a 400-times minimum wage fine, and the forfeiture of assets acquired with illicit funds, including luxury cars like a Lamborghini Urus and a Lincoln Navigator, as well as several properties.
The court ordered González to serve his sentence at the Najayo Hombres Correction and Rehabilitation Center in San Cristóbal province. He and Santos RodrÃguez were also ordered to cover the legal costs of the case. Additionally, González must pay restitution to his victims. As reported, he is required to return RD$700 million to his victims.
The full details of the court’s decision will be read on November 4th.
Read more in Spanish:El Nacional Listin Diario Diario Libre
23 September 2025