The De Grazia brothers have been imprisoned for
908 days
Since their arrest by the DGCIM on April 19, 2024.
Timeline
Everything that happened, date by date
From the Bangente precedent in March 2024 to today. Each line refers to its annex where there is one.
Bangente, the precedent
At Elarba's office, the transfer of 20% of the shares of four Bangente (Banco de la Gente Emprendedora) and Tranred group companies is signed, as reported by Armando.info.
The brothers are arrested
The DGCIM arrests Carmelo and Daniel at their homes. Levin turns himself in the same day after a call from José Simón Elarba, who told him before which official he had to appear. Eleven vehicles are seized in the raids.
Elarba arrives at Compass Bank
He shows up at Compass Bank's offices with DGCIM officers and gives instructions as if he were the owner.
Initial hearing
Held in the early morning, more than 120 hours after the arrest; the Constitution sets 48 hours. They are assigned a public defender and cannot appoint lawyers of their choice.
Apartment in La Castellana
The DGCIM demands the keys to an apartment in the Monte Roble Residences, with no court order.
Cash
The DGCIM seizes USD 2,000,000 in cash that was at the Altamira branch.
Elarba arrives at Bancamiga
Accompanied by armed DGCIM members, he presents himself to directors and staff as the «New Partner by decision of the high government». He owned no shares in the bank.
Raid on the law firm
The DGCIM takes the furniture, equipment, works of art and all of the clients' legal files from the De Grazia, Vázquez & Asociados law firm.
Private lawyers
Private lawyers are appointed. They file fifteen requests to be sworn in before the judge, and all are rejected. Annex 2
Farms in Upata
The DGCIM takes about 600 head of cattle from the «La Conoccia» and «Mamá María» farms, and on May 25, equipment and supplies from both.
Sale of Bancamiga shares
Four Bancamiga shareholders sign agreements transferring 57.31604% of the capital to Elarba for USD 405,279. According to the document, the bank then had profits awaiting distribution of nearly USD 18 million. Annex 3
Bancamiga shareholders' meeting
Elarba calls an extraordinary meeting. Carmelo and Daniel cannot attend because they are held incommunicado. Annex 4
Pressure on Daniel De Grazia
A DGCIM lieutenant colonel nicknamed «Santiago» tells him he must hand over his Compass Bank shares on President Maduro's instructions, and makes him understand that his safety and his family's depend on his signature.
The «sale» of Compass Bank
Daniel is forced to put on a shirt and tie and to sign, by video call, the sale of his shares to Velutini, whom he says he does not know. Annex 7
Loans funded with the bank's own money
Compass Bank's new board approves loans totaling USD 10,300,000 to five real estate companies. The money ends up in an account in Daniel's name at the same bank, to simulate payment for the purchase.
Transfer to El Rodeo I
After four months at the DGCIM headquarters in Boleíta (the «Máxima II»), the brothers are moved to El Rodeo I (now SESMAS).
Debit from Daniel's account
An unauthorized manual debit of USD 10,391,107.42 is made from his personal account at Compass Bank, authorized by Velutini, while he was still imprisoned and incommunicado.
Bancamiga capital increase
A new meeting dilutes Carmelo from 41.6% to 9.2% and takes Elarba to 89.79% of the bank. Annex 5
Panadería Central Manzanares
The DGCIM confiscates the bakery's business assets, with no order or authorization.
Panadería Barinitas
The DGCIM permanently seizes the bakery, whose assets it had already taken on May 4, 2024.
Transfer of Machana
The Valencia building passes to Manuel Flores Melo's same company. Annex 33
Infica and 47% of Bancamiga
A sworn statement says Inversora Financiera (Infica), C.A. acquired 47.0847% of Bancamiga's capital. The minutes recording the transaction do not yet appear in the public volumes of the registry. Annex 6
OFAC and Carlos Erick Malpica Flores
According to the document, OFAC (U.S. Treasury Department) sanctions Malpica again; the document describes him as a business partner of Elarba.
Carmelo De Grazia gets a defense
According to his statement, he was without a defense until this date, two years after his arrest. Annex 2
What follows summarizes the «Statement of Facts» submitted by the affected parties. Each claim refers to the annex that supports it where one exists.