Moderators Moderator_03 Posted November 21, 2021 Moderators Share Posted November 21, 2021 Quote Lottery Scandal: Jobs for Party Hacks FRANKLIN DE GRACIA arriving at the guarantee hearing Posted 21/11/2021 At least three of the four officials of the National Lottery charged with embezzlement were hired by the director-general Gloriela Del Río, in mid- 2019, when the alliance between the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) and the Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (Molirena) came to power. They are Alejandra Bonilla González, former provincial director of Panama; Franklin De Gracia Domínguez, former head of Operations, and Yamilka Camarena Díaz, former head of deliveries. In the midst of the scandal, in May 2021, after complaints of irregularities in the Lottery, they were moved to other functions and, finally fired after their arrest last week. In the most recent Camarena and Bonilla are provisionally detained in the case. Gracia and was ordered precautionary measures with periodic notification. The three arrived at the institution between July and October 2019, at the beginning of Laurentino Cortizo's administration, reports La Prensa Like them, more than 240 people of the 1,713 employed by the Lottery had entered between those months of 2019. The choice of the Lottery's top leadership had been sealed more in 2018 when Francisco Pancho Alemán was re-elected as president of the Molirena party. That day, all the positions of the party leadership were also chosen In the Electoral Bulletin published in 2018, the proclaimed candidates are listed. At least 10 of the people elected, including the party's prosecutor, Gloriela Del Río, would end up in directive positions of the State institution called upon to finance programs and projects of social development and charity, through the monopoly of the lottery. Two of them, De Gracia and Camarena, are now the visible faces of the corruption scandal In the Electoral Bulletin, Gloriela Del Río is proclaimed the honorary prosecutor of Molirena. as a result of the investigations involving officials and members of said group, the Molirena issued a statement in which it assures that of those involved, "none are conventional, nor do they belong to any management or authority body within the party." Until now, Del Río has not explained what happened. The LNB sent a statement on November 17, stating that the Lottery is a plaintiff and has been diligently helping with the investigations, “in order to clarify the facts and punish those who are responsible for anything illicit ”. At the hearing to accuse De Gracia, Camarena, and Bonilla, the prosecutors said the case arose from an anonymous complaint. According to the list of proclaimed candidates, other people also elected in 2018 appear in important positions in the LNB. Yheimy de Fernández, who was elected to the party's national board, serves as deputy director of the LNB. Similarly, the current undersecretary of the institution, Javier Ábrego, was elected general secretary of the youth of the party. Maribel de Gómez, the party's training secretary, holds a position as an administrator in the LNB. Other LNB officials who were elected to different internal positions in 2018 are Abel Fiol, who serves in the IT department; Aurelia Urriola, who works at the El Dorado agency, and Mayra De Gracia; Los Santos provincial director. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/lottery-scandal-jobs-for-party-hacks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted November 22, 2021 Moderators Share Posted November 22, 2021 Quote OPINION: Thieving from the have-nots Posted 21/11/2021 The network of officials of the National Charity Lottery (LNB) that fraudulently changed the chances and winning tickets reveals not only the assault on the State, but the complete lack of controls to prevent this type of fraud, as well as a personnel structure that leaves much to be desired about the administrative management of a state entity that handles millions of dollars in cash. And the funny thing is that, despite everything the LNB director said, the complaints of the successful collection of prizes were a reality. Now it will be necessary to determine how long it was done and how much money was stolen from the institution's coffers. But if the authorities decide to dig deeper, they will find much more than a few lower-ranking officials in these endeavors. It is a shame that the authorities of the Molirena party are involved in this negotiation and it shows - once again - how little the politicians care about the needs of the population, because, as its name indicates, this entity dedicates its profits to charities, long diminished by the greed of unscrupulous officials who used the proceeds of their robbery for parties and revelries. After completing the investigation and going to trial, we hope that the penalties and convictions will be exemplary. long depleted by the greed of unscrupulous officials who used the proceeds of their robbery for parties and revelries. After completing the investigation and going to trial, we hope that the penalties and convictions will be exemplary. long depleted by the greed of unscrupulous officials who used the proceeds of their robbery for parties and revelries. After completing the investigation and going to trial, we hope that the penalties and convictions will be exemplary. - LA PRENSA, Nov 21. https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/opinion-thieving-from-the-have-nots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted November 24, 2021 Moderators Share Posted November 24, 2021 Quote Two more arrests in charity lottery scandal Posted 24/11/2021 Prosecutors are appealing the decision of the guarantee judge, Yanina Mosquera who denied a request for provisional arrest, of two defendants linked to the lottery scandal. They were ordered to report twice a week and prohibited from approaching any of the offices of the National Charity Lottery, prohibited from leaving the country and of communication with those linked to the case. With these two people, there are already six defendants. In her support for the precautionary measures, the Superior Prosecutor Itzel Koo indicated that provisional detention should be imposed, since "we are facing a serious crime of a social service institution", and danger of damaging evidence. The appeal hearing for will be on December 1. According to the investigation of the Public Ministry, which began on March 17, through an anonymous complaint, these people, in coordination with senior officials of the National Charity Lottery, exchanged tickets that were returned to this institution before the corresponding draws were played. In this way they seized the money corresponding to the exchange of these tickets that were favored in the first, second, and even third prize. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/two-more-arrests-in-charity-lottery-scandal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted November 26, 2021 Moderators Share Posted November 26, 2021 Quote Former lottery operations boss joins colleagues behind bars Posted 25/11/2021 The Court of Appeals revoked on Thursday, November 25 the periodic report measure and ordered the provisional arrest of an official of the National Charity Lottery and a private individual, for the crime of fraudulent embezzlement. On November 18, a guarantee had judge ordered the notification Monday and Friday for Miguel Ángel Peña (private), who was the person who supposedly exchanged the winning tickets and chances, the other notification and impediment to leaving the country was for Franklin de Gracia, former head of Lottery Operations. At the same hearing, the provisional arrest was set for Yamilka Camarera, former head of the delivery section, and for Alejandra Bonilla, former provincial director, for the crime of aggravated embezzlement to the detriment of the National Charity Lottery. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/former-lottery-operations-boss-joins-colleagues-behind-bars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted December 8, 2021 Moderators Share Posted December 8, 2021 Quote Lottery boss sanctioned for ethics breaches Posted 08/12/2021 Gloriela del Río, the beleaguered director of the National Charity Lottery (LNB) who remains in office while three of her erstwhile staff face criminal investigation has been fined 50% of her salary for "breaches of ethics," reported the Transparency and Access to Information Authority (Antai). The Antai had initiated an investigation in the LNB last July for irregularities in the return and payment of lottery ticket prizes, as well as the payment of the million-dollar zodiac prize. According to Elsa Fernández, director of Antai, "the investigation detected a violation of the entity's own procedures and a lack of oversight duty." Gloriela Del Río, who has remained silent in recent months after complaints of anomalies and after the apprehension of three former Lottery officials for the irregular collection of chances and winning tickets, earns a monthly salary of $3,500 and other representation expenses of $3,500 reports La Prensa. Alejandra Bonilla González, former provincial director of Panama; Franklin De Gracia Domínguez, former Chief of Operations, and Yamilka Camarena Díaz, former Chief of Deliveries, were hired between July and October 2019, by Del Río. At the moment, they are all detained for the alleged commission of the crime of malicious embezzlement. Despite the complaints, Del Río did not fire them at the time but just relocated them to other duties. The director of Antai also reported that she sanctioned a cashier supervisor of the Colon LNB agency with a fine of 50% of the salary, for administrative irregularities that caused property damage in the amount of $8,960. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/lottery-boss-sanctioned-for-ethics-breaches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted December 10, 2021 Moderators Share Posted December 10, 2021 Quote Lottery boss stays while probe proceeds - Cortizo Posted 09/12/2021 The embattled director of the National Charity Lottery (LNB), Gloriela Del Río will remain in her job at least for now said President Laurentino Cortizo during a tour of the Children's Hospital, on Thursday morning referring to the scandal of the alleged irregularities in the National Benefit Lottery (LNB). The president said that the director will possibly remain in office until the investigation that is being carried out due to irregularities in the verification process of the chances and tickets is completed. "There is an investigation in progress, this is an issue that is being addressed with the Public Ministry, what would be the best ... probably until the investigation is over she should stay in office for the time being," he said. On Tuesday, the Transparency and Access to Information Authority (Antai) reported that Del Río was fined 50% of her monthly salary for "breaches of ethics." The Antai had initiated an investigation in the LNB last July for irregularities in the return and payment of lottery ticket prizes, as well as the payment of the millionaire Zodiac draw. According to Elsa Fernández, director of Antai, "the investigation detected a violation of the entity's own procedures and a lack of oversight duty." https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/lottery-boss-stays-while-probe-proceeds-cortizo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted June 10, 2022 Moderators Share Posted June 10, 2022 Quote High ranking lottery official arrested in embezzlement probe Posted 09/06/2022 A man and a woman were arrested on Thursday, June 9, by personnel from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office as part of the investigations of alleged aggravated embezzlement, of the National Charity Lottery. (LNB). The apprehended official worked during the period under investigation at the Chepo Agency. One of the arrests took place at the offices of the LNB agency, in Río Abajo. The woman was apprehended through a search proceeding at a residence located in Mano de Piedra, district of Arnulfo Arias, in San Miguelito. The anti-corruption prosecutor Carlos Cuadra said that it is a "high-ranking" official of the LNB and a private individual, who are allegedly linked to the events that have been investigated since March 17, 2021, for the alleged theft of notebooks from the entity assigned to different agencies. Six people have already been charged in this process, including former officials and individuals. According to the Public Ministry, the notebooks that were stolen from the entity then left in the hands of officials who proceeded, through third parties, to collect the winning tickets. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/high-ranking-lottery-official-arrested-in-embezzlement-probe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted June 13, 2022 Moderators Share Posted June 13, 2022 Quote Fear of job loss kept officials quiet in lottery scam Posted 12/06/2022 Protected witnesses revealed to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office investigating a network that stole chances and tickets from the National Charity Lottery (LNB), that many officials who knew about the irregularities did not alert the authorities for fear of losing their jobs reports La Prensa. The investigation, led by prosecutors Itzel Koo and Omar Jaén, has the statements of at least three protected witnesses, who have revealed that many officials were aware of what was happening, but remained silent in the face of possible reprisals. The statements reveal that the former head of deliveries of the LNB, Yamilka Camarena, accused of fraudulent embezzlement, failed to comply with the security protocols for the transfer of packages of chances and tickets to agencies in different parts of the country. When she was warned about breaching the protocols, she would reply that she was the boss. One of the witnesses told La Prensa that he was fired when he refused to accept suspicious returns after the time of a draw, in early 2020. A month later, he received a dismissal letter alleging "loss of trust". He says that many officials who did their job were rotated or dismissed. A private person used by the network to exchange tickets was the winner of all three prizes in the same draw. The investigation, which began on March 17, 2021, consists of 52 volumes. It contains inspections of LNB agencies, analysis of bank accounts, and statements that suggest that more officials may be involved. On Thursday, June 9, Prudencio Ramos was arrested, who until his arrest worked as "clerk 1" at the Río Abajo agency, after being transferred by the director of the LNB, Gloriela Del Río, in the midst of the scandal. Before, Ramos had been boss of the agency in Chepo. Also that day, private citizen Yanellis De Sedas was arrested. Ramos is credited with having received a package of chances and tickets from the former head of LNB Operations, Franklin De Gracia, and then changed some numbers that were awarded. The prosecution points out that in several agencies they withheld the chances and tickets, waited for the draw to be held, extracted the winning tickets, and then returned the notebooks. The authorization to change passbooks after the draw was given by the head of Operations, De Gracia. Pleasure trips The money obtained from the winning tickets was used mostly for pleasure trips to beach resorts and vehicle purchases. The prosecution has access to receipts paid for amounts of up to $600 for renting rooms in beach hotels and for the purchase of cars. In addition to Ramos, De Sedas, Camarena, and De Gracia, the prosecution also filed charges against the former provincial director of, Alejandra Bonilla, as well as individuals Antonio Peña, Miguel Peña, and Omar López, who - were responsible for collecting the chances and winning tickets. Camarena, Bonilla, and De Gracia have in common that they came to work there after Gloriela Del Río took office as director of the LNB, in July 2019. She has previously said that she is collaborating with the Public Ministry, since the institution became a plaintiff on July 9, 2021. She said, that De Gracia, Bonilla and Camarena, were dismissed on November 18, 2021, once the authorities formulated charges. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/fear-of-job-loss-kept-officials-quiet-in-lottery-scam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted June 13, 2022 Moderators Share Posted June 13, 2022 Quote Inhumane theft from the charity lottery Posted 12/06/2022 There are political commitments that allow officials and individuals to steal from an institution created to help and contribute to social works, such as the National Charity Lottery (LNB). Another official until recently with administrative responsibilities in the entity has been accused of being part of an organized network that claims lottery prizes when the winning tickets and chances should have entered the institution as a return before each draw, but they collected the money and shared it. It is simply inhumane to steal from the LNB, since its profits are used to promote culture, to help noble causes, and solve the needs of the less favored population. But these people are of the worst kind; without caring about the consequences, they steal from the one who has the least. The president of the Republic, instead of taking away from Molirena that piece of the government cake that seems to be the LNB, what it does is protect the leadership and members of that party, and that is why they do not flinch every time some irregularity is discovered, as happened months ago with a similar scandal. Hopefully, this time justice reaches all those involved in acts as execrable as this. – LA PRENSA, Jun. 12. https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/inhumane-theft-from-the-charity-lottery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted June 17, 2022 Moderators Share Posted June 17, 2022 Quote Lottery sellers protest electronic system Posted 16/06/2022 Lottery ticket sellers from across the country gathered in front of the National Lottery Board (LNB) on Thursday, June 16, and then marched to the presidency to protest the implementation of an electronic system The National Charity Lottery reported on Tuesday that it has suspended the addendum with the Scientific Games company until it reaches an agreement with the ticket sellers. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/lottery-sellers-protest-electronic-system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted March 16, 2023 Moderators Share Posted March 16, 2023 Quote Lottery officials face embezzlement charges Posted 15/03/2023 Two officials of the National Charity Lottery were charged with the crime of embezzlement and of inviolability of home and workplace. The guarantee judge, Manuel Sánchez, also legalized the arrest and ordered precautionary measures prohibiting departure from the province of Panama, prohibition to approach the victims, reassignment of tasks other than public attention outside their workplace, as well as protection measures for victims or witnesses. Prosecutor Juan Gutiérrez of the Panama Oeste regional office presented the elements of conviction, managing to prove the criminal conduct of the accused. The event took place on March 12, 2023, at 11:30 a.m., when two officials who work at the metropolitan headquarters of the National Charity Lottery moved to commercial premises, located in the district of Arraiján, aboard a vehicle. with a yellow stripe and clothing that identified them as officials of the institution, with the purpose of allegedly locating evidence of clandestine lottery sales, without having an order and the presence of a competent authority to search the business premises. The National Charity Lottery (LNB) released a statement on Wednesday, March 15, reiterating that all the operations carried out to combat the illegal sale of chances and tickets are carried out in collaboration with the corresponding authorities such as municipalities, Police National and Justices of the Peace it followed a clandestine operation, " not organized or authorized by the LNB, in the West Panama Province ”. The entity called on the community in general so that in the face of this type of illegal action they give the alert and present the corresponding complaints. " The institution as a transparent and responsible entity took the respective administrative and legal actions," the statement stressed. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/lottery-officials-face-embezzlement-charges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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