Jump to content
Message added by Moderator_02,

Articles about the sons of Martinelli will now be found here https://chiriqui.life/topic/17753-martinelli-sons-for-trial-in-usa/

The "New Business" trial involving Martinelli & others can be found here https://chiriqui.life/topic/19951-new-business-trial/

Also see https://chiriqui.life/topic/7880-“blue-apple”-corruption-scandal for more postings involving the Martinelli family, especially the two Martinelli sons.

Recommended Posts

12 minutes ago, Penny said:

I think when many Panamanians voted for Martinelli they thought he was so rich that he wouldn't need to steal from the treasury (as has been the custom). Guess that's not a viable theory.

It follows then that lesson from the Martinelli administration is that the more one has then the more one wants. :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Penny said:

I think when many Panamanians voted for Martinelli they thought he was so rich that he wouldn't need to steal from the treasury (as has been the custom). Guess that's not a viable theory.

Penny

You are right.  Many people in Panamas where tired of the bi-partidism in the country.  We did have to vote either for Panamenistas or PRD.  So Martinelli was a fresh air we thought we could have coming from a businessman that was not involved in the traditional politics of the country.   People bought this concept.... but reality proves that politicians are politicians... and ruling a country is not the same like ruling a corporation.   At the end we all were dissapointed with the result and outcome. 

Edited by Roger B
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Roger B said:

Penny

You are right.  Many people in Panamas where tired of the bi-partidism in the country.  We did have to vote either for Panamenistas or PRD.  So Martinelli was a fresh air we thought we could have coming from a businessman that was not involved in the traditional politics of the country.   People bought this concept.... but reality proves that politicians are politicians... and ruling a country is not the same like ruling a corporation.   At the end we all were dissapointed with the result and outcome. 

Roger, that sounds exactly like the reason some people are supporting Trump.  You are right - running a country is not like running a corporation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Quote

Martinelli’s secretary exits most wanted list

Posted on September 9, 2016 in Panama

Edna-Ramos-defensora-Adolfo-Obarrio_LPRI
Obarrio with his lawyer Edna Ramos
Post Views: 163

INTERPOL has removed Adolfo De Obarrio, the private secretary of former President Ricardo Martinelli, from its list of most wanted international criminals.

He is being investigated for alleged irregularities in the sale of dehydrated food during the last administration.

The information was confirmed by sources of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

A statement said that Interpol did not give details of the decision.

According to the comptroller, the irregularities caused an injury to the state of $44.9 million

He faces charges in three other cases related to government corruption.

De Obarrio fled the country with his wife on Christmas Day 2014.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/martinellis-secretary-exits-wanted-list

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Martinelli Court hearing set for Wednesday

Posted on September 13, 2016 in Panama

Ricardo-Martinelli_LPRIMA20160224_0192_2
Ricardo Martinelli
Post Views: 107

THE PROSECUTOR in the $44.9 million dehydrated food scandal has called for a Supreme Court hearing of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli on Wednesday, September 14.

It will be before  Supreme Court Judge Geromino Mejía

Oydén Ortega requested the hearing following  information received in a request for international assistance that was sent to Brazil.

The investigation is focused on a $44.9 million contract that was granted to the company Lerkshore International.

Supreme Court Judge Ortega plans to present the results of that request at the hearing.

The case is before the Supreme Court due to Martinelli’s  status as a deputy in the Central American Parliament(Parlacen)  a position he assumed on July 1, 2014, the day that Juan Carlos Varela took office.

He flew to Guatemala by private jet to be sworn into the body which during his election campaign he called a “ gang of thieves.”

Martinelli has a number of other outstanding alleged corruption cases before the courts, plus the charges of illegal surveillance of 150 political opponents, journalists, judges and businessmen.

After that he flew to Europe before settling in Miami in self-imposed exile, while continuing to attempt pull the strings of the Cambio Democratico Party (CD) which he founded and funded to smooth his way to office.

Interviewed by media in New York, in his early days as president, Martinelli  attributed his government’s success  to it being composed of “businessmen”.”

The corruption revelations in the past two years have given a new twist to his “”gang of thieves” metaphor.

During his early months in office he attempted to engineer Panama’s withdrawal from Parlacen.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/martinelli-court-hearing-set-wedneday

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderators
Quote

Martinelli lawyers lose extradition ploy

Posted on September 23, 2016 in Panama

Ricardo-Martinelli_LPRIMA20160610_0054_3
Options running out?
Post Views: 170

The well rewarded legal team of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, has lost yet another move to save their client from facing justice.

The  Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected a request to include a statement from their client in the extradition request that they will file with the U.S. government.

The Ministry said there “is no legal basis” to include the statement.

The decision was confirmed by Farah Urrutia, legal director of the Ministry, in response to statements made by Martinelli lawyer Sidney Sitton, who expressed concerns about the extradition of his client.

Urrutia stressed that the letter submitted by Sitton makes allegations that should be resolved in a court of law.

“The Supreme Court has been prolific in noting that the extradition is not being done on the merits of the case,” said Urrutia in a response to Sitton.

On Aug. 4, the Ministry requested Judge Jerome Mejía to provide an outline of the case against Martinelli, who faces charges of ordering illegal surveillance of political opponents and others during his term in office.

The court ordered the arrest of Martinelli in December 2015.

He fled Panama in January 2015 and was last seen in Miami where he owns a luxury apartment, and where he has received many high ranking players in the CD Party he founded.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/martinelli-lawyers-lose-extradition-ploy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Foreign Ministry receives statement from judge

It is required for the extradition of former President Ricardo Martinelli.

Spanish version

Juan Manuel Díaz 27 sep 2016 - 09:46h

The Foreign Ministry confirmed yesterday that it has received an affidavit from Judge Jerome Mejía that is required for the extradition of former President Ricardo Martinelli.

The affidavit, which was written by Prosecutor Harry Díaz and reviewed by Mejia, is the last step that was missing for the Foreign Ministry to present the request to the United States, where Martinelli has been living in January 2015.

Sources from the ministry confirmed that they will review the document and then submit it to American officials.

In his statement, Diaz said that there is evidence linking Martinelli to illegal surveillance carried out by the National Security Council during his administration.

The ministry requested the affidavit on Aug. 4.

http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Cancilleria-recibe-affidavit-Corte_21_4585251431.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

US asked to extradite ex-Panama president

Posted on September 27, 2016 in Panama

martinelli-620x264.jpg
Post Views: 263

THE LONG  awaited request  for the extradition of former Panama president. Ricardo Martinellli has been submitted to the United States.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the request and the  formal notification was sent Monday, September 26, to the United States Department of State by the Panama embassy in Washington.

The extradition request, which was made by the Supreme Court, included a request for the provisional arrest of the former president, who is believed to be living in Miami.

The documentation submitted in Washington also included responses to numerous attempts by a battery of  Martinelli’s  defense attorneys to block the extradition.

The request now has to be reviewed by U.S. officials.

Martinelli is facing charges in Panama of ordering illegal surveillance while in office.

He is also facing multiple corruption allegations.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/us-asked-extradite-ex-panama-president

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Martinelli extradition request includes arrest warrant

Posted on September 28, 2016 in Panama

martinelli-lawyera-Alejandro-Cristobal-A
Some of Martinelli's legal team opposing his exrtadition.
Post Views: 180

AS MOST victims and of illegal surveillance under the Ricardo Martinelli regime  agree that the request to the US for his extradition represents progress they still complain of the snail like progress  of  the  Supreme Court during the process.

The Martinelli defense team on the other hand calls the action illegal.

Rogelio Cruz, for  Martinelli said that the actions taken by the Foreign Ministry has violated the right to defend his client, since several resources were not resolved before filing a US extradition request .

Mitchell Doens, former secretary general of the PRD and a wiretap victim,   said “I think it is important that this man [Martinelli] face justice and pay for the crimes and abuses committed during his term.

“Hopefully the state can recover everything he stole from  the Panamanian people, not to mention the damage he did to the fragile institutions of the country “said

Panamenista Deputy Jose Luis Varela said : “Everyone must submit to justice when required by this, so I hope that Martinelli will come back and face it with the guarantees of a fair and transparent trial.”

Balbina Herrera, former PRD presidential candidate, said that “the importance of this request for the extradition of Ricardo Martinelli is the request for provisional arrest. That is, basic for me, because it cannot be that he is  laughing at us in Miami.”

The extradition request filed by the Embassy of Panama in Washington on Monday 26 at the US State Department, includes the provisional arrest warrant, ordered by the full Supreme Court on December 21 2015.

University of Panama professor Miguel Antonio Bernal, another victim of wiretapping  said: “I have no expectation that the process will prosper.”

“If they  really had wanted to prosecute Martinelli, first, they would not let him go, second, they would have canceled the passport, which is not yet done

“How will the US accept the extradition of a person who has not been charged, unless they alter their law, which I do not think it will? “he said.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/martinelli-extradition-request-includes-arrest-warrant

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • Moderators
Quote

MartineIl lawyers stymied in embezzlement case

Posted on November 24, 2016 in Panama

abogados-defensores-Martinelli-investiga
Martinelli's lrgal team stymied
Post Views: 164

PANAMA’S  Supreme Court of Justice has nixed  the latest move by lawyers for ex-president Rivardo Martinelli to block investigation   of his bank accounts during an embezzlement investigation.

A constutional appeal was presented by lawyer Luis Eduardo Camacho. t which sought to annul the decision of Judge Jerónimo Mejía, which allowed his colleague Oydén Ortega. serving as prosecutor  to investigate Matinelli’s bank accounts in an investigation, for the alleged commission of the offense of peculation in the purchase of dehydrated food through the former National Assistance Program (PAN).

In the research, Mejía acts as  judge of guarantees of the cause, and Ortega functions as prosecutor.

The ruling of October 31, with  Judge Abel Zamorano, as rapporteur warns that the appeal filed by Camacho González “is not directed at the violation of a constitutional right or guarantee,” and has no place because it is based on “the questioning of the value or interpretative activity performed by the court, “so it does not represent the violation of a constitutional right. ”

The judgment also states that the reading of the appeal does not allow the conclusion that the magistrate of guarantees, in this case Jerónimo Mejía, has committed a violation of the constitutional text, At the same time, it maintains that, in this case, the constitutional  objection details a disagreement with the decision taken by the judge of guarantees [Mejía] during the hearing held on March 8, 2016, but using as an argument that does  not apply to these cases.

At that hearing, Mejia rejected a petition filed by Martinelli’s defense to declare void the process followed for Martinelli as a deputy of the Central American Parliament, for having requested bank information from him without the authorization of the judge of guarantees.

During the hearing Mejía rejected the arguments presented by Martinelli’s lawyers, warning that prosecutor Oydén Ortega may conduct certain proceedings without prior authorization  of the judge.

“The proceedings in question are not judicial proceedings, which is what Article 199 [of the Code of Criminal Procedure] says, which was used by the defense to make the appeal.

During the hearing, prosecutor Ortega explained that all the banks contacted provided the necessary information to his office in a timely manner.

He added that no inspection, or seizures were carried out, “in which case the prior control of the judge of guarantees would  have been  required”.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/martineil-lawyers-stymied-embezzlement-case

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • Moderators
Quote

Expanding Interpol red alerts for Panama suspects

Posted on December 7, 2016 in Panama

Valdes-Ivan-Clare-Financial-Pacific_LPRI
Clare and Valdes
Post Views: 349

THE Interpol Office in Panama  is a busy place these days as the number of ‘red alerts’ for the apprehension of key players  in alleged corruption  scams continues to swell.

adolfo-obarrio-coimas-pan-martinelli_lprima20141117_0005_28

De Obarrio , Martinelli an his wife Marta

When the paperwork is competed in the US State Department, Ex-president Ricardo Martinelli  will take his place on the roll of infamy joining his former  private secretary playboy Adolfo de Obarrio, and a raft of former Martinelli inner circle members who have fled  the country and who are referred to as victims of political persecution by members of the CD party.

Recent red alert notifications  include Iván Clare, West Valdés, Manuel Morales Díez, Mauricio Ortiz Poma, Ricardo Calvo Latorraca and Claudio Poma Murialdo.

The “entrepreneurs”” are accused by the First Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of alleged embezzlement  in the granting of  a $9 million loan by Caja de Ahorros (CA) to the consortium HPC Contratas P & V to finance the construction of the failed Amador Convention Center.

Tania Sterling

Tania Sterling

The first prosecutor Tania Sterling, who has been threatened on social media,  issued attendance  orders for interrogation  on November 7, but the suspects failed to  appear and , on November 11 the prosecutor requested the  Interpol red alerts.

At that time, the General Secretary of the Public Ministry (MP), Rolando Rodríguez confirmed that “there is information that the suspects  are not within the territory of the Republic of Panama.”

The background
In 2012, the CA granted a credit line for $ 9 million to finance the convention center construction work.

On January 2, 2013, $7 million was deposited in the Summer Venture Inc. account,to  which Ricardo Calvo and Felipe Virzi are signatories.

Days later, the money was transferred to an account of the Financial Pacific brokerage  headed by  Clare and Valdés

The money would have been deposited, presumably, to cover the $12 million gap in the finances of the brokerage  after a multi-million dollar  embezzlement.

While Ortiz Poma, Morales Díez and Poma Murialdo are partners of HPC Contratas P & V, who obtained the loan and did not invest in the project.

So far, 20 people involved in the case with former bank president .

riccardo-francolini-investigado-caja-ahorros_lprima20161205_0054_5

Francolini

Riccardo Francolini and manager Jason Pastor detained in prison awaiting trial.

The case also has alleged links to Martinelli who is currently living in Miami, where he fled two years ago.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/expanding-interpol-red-alerts-panama-suspects

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yesterday the Miami Herald published an article which was widely reprinted in Panama about the favorable immigration status which seems to be accorded in the U.S. to wealthy foreign businessmen and politicians on the lam from accusations of corruption at home.  They used former President Ricardo Martinelli as a prime example. The story is here. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article119785488.html

True to form, Mr. Martinelli Tweeted this response today. He obviously isn't rolling over anytime soon.

 

Edited by Keith Woolford
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators
Quote

Ex-First Lady Office embezzlement trial

bags.jpg
Christmas bags in embezzlement probe

A REQUEST  has  been  made for the   embezzlement trial of suspects involved in  the  $5.1 million purchase of 110,000 Christmas bags by the office of the former First Lady. Marta de Martinelli.

The First Anti-Corruption Prosecutor has asked the  Fifteenth Criminal Court to hear the case against  former National Assistance Program (PAN),  director Rafael Guardia Jaen and businessmen Pablo Ruiz Obregón and Aldo Mangravita Fernández Mirand and five former officials of the PAN and the Office Of the First Lady for the alleged offense of embezzlement in 2013.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/ex-first-lady-office-embezzlement-trial

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

Criminal hearings for two former ministers delayed

Posted on December 15, 2016 in Panama

Lima-Ferrufino_LPRIMA20161215_0013_21.jp
De Lima and Ferufino
Post Views: 101

CRIMINAL hearings for two former ministers  in the Ricardo Martinelli administration Guillermo Ferrrufino and Frank De Lima were suspended  on Thursday December 15 at the request of their lawyers.

No new date has been set for their resumption.

The Seventh AntiCorruption Prosecutor is investigating Ferrufino, the former minister of Social Development, for Money laundering and falsification of  documents.

His wife, Milena Vallarino de Ferrufino, The case, and  his mother in law, Amnelis Morales Shepherd, are  also being prosecuted

De Lima, the former minister of Economy and Finance, is being investigated by the Third AntiCorruption Prosecutor’s Office for alleged irregularities in the award of the Buko Millionaire Group of World Investment (GIM) linked to Martinelli’s sons.

Lima signed the contract with GIM for the administration and operation of the bingo game in 2011

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/criminal-hearings-two-former-ministers-delayed

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Quote

250 face corruption trials

Posted on December 18, 2016 in Panama

Ricardo-Martinelli-Corte-Suprema-Justici
Ricardo Martinelli still walks free
Post Views: 194

THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR’S Office has sought judgment in at least 20 cases of alleged corruption linked to 250 people and officials of the Ricardo Martinelli government.

The files are commission of crimes against the public administration reports La Prensa.

Thirteen of the cases are in the courts pending preliminary hearing, two already have a trial date,  while in five cases, the courts have already held hearings.

The investigations began in late 2014, and were extended during 2015 and 2016.

One of the first is the one to do with possible crimes against the public administration in the contract to acquire dehydrated food in $45 million, through the extinct  National Assistance Program(PAN), in which Martinelli is alleged to have been a key player.

At the same time, the process was also started, which sought to determine who was responsible for the loss of

A computer to intercept communications, which was acquired from Israel  by the Martinelli  government for  $13.4 million to spy on at least 150 citizens, including politicians, journalists and lawyers.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/250-face-corruption-trials

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderators
Quote

Switzerland confirms over $23 million in illegal payments to Martinelli team

Posted on December 29, 2016 in Panama

Ricardo-Martinelli-Enrique-Alberto_LPRIM
Ricardo Martinelli and his sons Enrique and Ricardo. All three have fled Panama
Post Views: 330

WITHOUT naming  names Swiss authorities have  confirmed the existence of bank accounts that carried more   than $20 million in illegal payments to Panamanians in the Ricardo Martinelli administration.

A document used by Switzerland’s Public Prosecutor’s Office as a basis to fine  Odebrecht $2 billion to settle criminal proceedings against it reveals that “at least 32.8 million francs [were paid]  from  Dec. 16, 2009 to Aug. 27 2012 to the environment of a previous high member of the government of Panama.”

Swiss prosecutors estimate that, at the time, the payments amounted to about $23.7 million.

It is unknown if this money is part of the $59 million that Odebrecht admitted having paid to

Panamanian officials during that same period, which corresponds to the government of Ricardo Martinelli.

What is clear, reports La Prensa  is that in the plea agreement that Odebrecht signed with the US Department of Justice on Dec. 21, the Brazilian company acknowledged that it had paid ­ between 2009 and 2012 ­ $6 million “to two close relatives of a high­level official of the Panamanian government in relation to projects of governmental infrastructure.”

Odebrecht officials have identified these individuals as the sons of the former president, Ricardo Martinelli.

Martinelli, who is living in self imposed exile in Florida, after fleeing the country two years ago  has denied the allegations.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/switzerland-confirms-23-million-illegal-payments-martinelli-team-witho

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderators
Quote

Martinelli loses extradition appeal

Posted on January 10, 2017 in Panama

Ricardo-Martinelli_LPRIMA20161111_0001_3
Ricardo Martinelli
Post Views: 378

LAWYERS  for ex-president Ricardo Martinelli who has been flaunting his invitation to the Donald J Trump inauguration on Jan 20, have lost another round in their ongoing fight to prevent his extradition from the U.S.

The Supreme Court has rejected an application from his defense team  for annulment of the resolution requesting his extradition issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In a ruling dated Dec. 19 and made public on Tuesday Jan, 10, the court concluded that the Chancellery did not violate Martinelli’s human rights in issuing the resolution.

The court emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the conduit between the Panamanian jurisdictional authority and the foreign state, in this case the United States.

It explained the state receiving the request is responsible for assessing the extradition order.

On July 26, the Panamanian Foreign Ministry received Martinelli’s extradition request from the Supreme Court, but it was not until Sept. 27 that it forwarded the request to the U.S.

Martinelli’s attorneys have said that their client resides in Miami. He fled  Panama in January 2015

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/martinelli-loses-extradition-appeal

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...