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Slow justice system provides corruption escape route

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Justice on hold

 SOME  of the 346 people charged with corruption offenses that occurred during the reign of Panama’s, ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, could get off the hook because of the tardiness of the country’s justice system.

The accused are involved in  30 high profile cases that began as a result of the corruption scandals that began in the government of the fugitive former president who leads the pack with some dozen investigations underway involving hundreds of millions of dollars, while he sits in a Miami jail awaiting extradition.

According to a monitoring chart developed by the  Justice Department  OJ, the major processes are: grains (55), food bags (39), Tonosi Irrigation (33), Odebrecht- (27), helicopter rental, (21), housing program  (17), among others.

Most cases are stuck  in several courts awaiting the resolution of multiple appeals’

In others, an extension has been granted and they have been returned to the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) so that the investigations can continue, and in just a few a hearing date has been set. But those too can be further delayed as happened on Friday, August 4, when a case involving top members of the Security Council was moved to mid-September because a defense lawyer had travel plans.

Some processes seem to have no end, such as alleged irregularities in the purchase of musical instruments through the National Assistance Program (PAN), which began in July 2013 and has no hearing date yet reports El Siglo.

The statistical table shows that on  Tuesday, August 8, a preliminary hearing will be held in the case involving former tourism czar and Martinelli confident Salomón Shamah, accused of embezzlement,

Given the delays in the hearings, citizen groups have demanded that the OJ resolve the pending appeals.

But for some accused like  Freddy Pitti, Ernesto Cedeño and Anette Planels, the processes cannot be extended.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/slow-justice-system-provides-corruption-escape-route

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Laggard justices could aid corruption impunity

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The Supreme Court

MANY of the corruption cases involving previously prominent establishment figures who have plundered the country’s wealth are stuck in Panama’s lumbering court system and could be heading to impunity, sparking  alarm-bells among civil activists.

Of 32 cases related to high profile corruption, 29 are pending decision in The Supreme Court the Second Superior Court and in Circuit Courts.

The figures come from a report of the Judicial Branch, highlighted in La Prensa.

The report shows that there has been no ruling or final judgment in cases, dating from 2014 to 2016.

Of the 32 cases, four reached a preliminary hearing, although there are no sentences, due to the presentation of appeals.

Meanwhile the alleged perpetrators can be seen wining and dining in local restaurants or enjoying life in upscale social circles.

Three cases have already been returned to the Public Prosecutor’s Office to continue investigations.

Among the cases that reached a hearing are the contract of $44.9 million for the purchase of dehydrated food and the acquisition of tires, through the extinct National Assistance Program.

Also, in limbo  are cases involving Giselle Burillo, ex-adminstrator  of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise authority for alleged  surcharges on vehicle rentals  vehicles, and the case involving  the ex-Minister of Social Development Zulema Sucre for alleged of embezzlement.

Magaly Castillo, of the Citizens Alliance Pro Justicia, said the report shows that there is laziness in the system and resources, such as habeas corpus, have become tools for avoiding justice.

Freddy Pittí, of the Together We Decide Movement, said that the report shows that these investigations “are heading towards impunity”. He indicated that the most alarming thing is that they are cases in which there is ample proof that there was injury to the Patrimony of the State, so that the administration of justice must set a timely, energetic precedent and  send a message that acts harmful to the heritage of all Panamanians will not be tolerated.

Annette Planells, of the Independent Movement (Movin), said that society is “frustrated by the little importance that the Judicial Body is giving to the subject.

Planells said that the nine justices of the Supreme Court of Justice cannot evade responsibilities  that lie ahead with these cases.

The records show  the  large amount of investigations that the Public Ministry has sent them and the few hearings that have been held.

There have been preliminary hearings in only four cases leading to the conclusion that these files are waiting until 2019 to be resolved and they will do everything to wait for the election period, she said.

She  also regretted that society has gradually forgotten about thee cases of corruption committed with funds from the former National Assistance Program (PAN), along with the scandals that occurred with the Buko Millonario case, in the  Caja de Ahooros Savings Bank, the The  Tonosi  irrigation system and with the money of the Savings Bank that was diverted for the alleged construction of the Amador Convention Center.

At this point, the responsibility lies with circuit judges and  Supreme Court magistrates who take months or even years to solve a simple resource, she ssaid.

Castillo points to the case involving  the purchase of musical instruments with funds from the PAN, with the  prosecution case  forwarded on  October 31  2016 and the Fifth Criminal Court has not yet set a hearing date.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/laggard-justices-give-corruption-impunity

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Man who fingered Martinelli remains jailed

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Ignacio Fabrega

A MAN  SERVING  a five-year prison sentence, who said he acted on instructions from Ricardo Martinelli and ex-tourism boss Salomon  Shamah, had his request to move from jail to house arrest rejected on Friday, August 18.

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Shamah, Fabrega, Martinelli

Ignacio Fábrega, who turns 71 in September, argued that he has health problems such as lumbar, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He has been detained since  August 2015 at the El Renancer Prison.

At Fábrega’s request, the prosecution asked the compliance judge to order an examination by the Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences.

Fábrega, who was a fugitive for four months,  appeared on August 25, 2015  at a First Criminal Court hearing and pleaded guilty to giving confidential information to the Financial Pacific brokerage

On June 23, 2017, the Second Criminal Superior Court upheld the sentence of five years’ imposed on Fábrega.

During the hearing, Fabregas said that he acted on the instructions of former President Ricardo Martinelli and Panama Tourism Authority administrator Salomón Shamah.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/man-fingered-martinelli-remains-jailed

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Embezzlement suspects get $1 million  bail

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Ford and Suarez

TWO MORE former ministers facing charges of embezzling millions  of dollars, with potential  8-year jail terms,  have dipped into their piggy banks and pulled out $500,000 apiece to get out of the El Renacer Prison and return to the comforts of home.

Federico Suárez (2009-2012) and Jaime Ford (2012-2014 who ruled over the Ministry of Public Works in the previous government are being investigated for possible overcharges in the project for the rehabilitation and widening of the Arraiján- La Chorrera highway. They have been detained since July 4.

On August 14,  the Second Criminal Court upheld the decision first adopted by the  Fifteenth Criminal Court, fixing bail at $500,000 each. The decision signed by magistrates Wilfredo Sáenz and Eda Gutiérrez de Jiménez, maintains the ban on leaving the country without permission.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office had appealed the decision of fifteenth court judge Leslie Loaiza. With prosecutor Adecio Mojica arguing  that bails should not be granted because the crime is serious, with a  possible sentence of 8 to 15 years in prison

However, the Second Court said that the ministers “have a fixed residence in the Republic of Panama, are Panamanians, with a family, practice a trade or profession in Panamanian territory and … there is no evidence to prove that the life and security of third persons  is threatened … or that these gentlemen will  transfer or hide bank accounts or transfer them to other people.”

The rehabilitation and expansion of the Arraiján-La Chorrera highway was awarded in 2010 to  Transcaribe  Trading for $152.3 million dollars, but in 2013 signed an addendum to the contract that raised the amount to $161.8 million dollars.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/embezzlement-suspects-get-1-million-bail

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Prosecutor battles crime, budget cuts

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Kenia Porcell

WHILE PANAMA  anti corruption prosecutors fight to cope with an unprecedented case load largely related to the previous administration and its business cronies, the country’s Attorney General is engaged in a battle to obtain sufficient funding.

Kenia Porcell, asked the National Assembly Budget Committee to take another look at the Public Ministry’s (MP)  request for funds.

In the State Budget for 2018,  the MP requested $151 million. The  Finance Ministry recommended that Members approve only $116.6 million.

Porcell told committee members that she must contract more collaborators to carry out the investigations in the hands of the Ministry and reminded them that funds for the fiscal year 2017 were already exhausted.

The operational budget for 2017 was used mainly for international court hearings, Porcell said and added that prosecutors have had to conduct a series of trips to hold meetings and arrange bilateral cooperation agreements.

Because of the type of crime prosecutors are investigating, translations of English, Portuguese and Catalan, have cost over $250,000.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/prosecutor-battles-crime-budget-cuts

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Ex-mayor said delaying bribe trial

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Bosco Vallarino, playing for time?

Ex-mayor said delaying bribe trial

TOP ANTI-CORRUPTION prosecutor, Ruth Morcillo   has accused Panama’s former mayor Bosco Vallarino of dilatory practices  in attempting to delay his trial for allegedly taking bribes while in office.

The hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, Sep. 19 but  Vallarino  arrived with a new lawyer and a request for a postponement

The new lawyer who will handle the case is Héctor Bonilla, replacing Margarita Córdoba.

Vallarino is accused of allegedly receiving a $6,000 bribe of $6,000 from the Brazilian businessman Alexandre Ventura Nogueira, in order to facilitate a contract for the construction of the underground parking lot in Belisario Porras park.

Vallarino admitted the bribe  during an interview on TVN on February 26, 2015, which led to the prosecutor’s Office initiating an  investigation.

Morcillo – who in her fiscal opinion recommended the Vallarino and Ventura Nogueira – said that Tuesday’s moves  were evidence of strategies to delay the case.

“Can an accused fail to present a brief, and request requesting postponement of the hearing date when yesterday the previous lawyer submits a request for prescription of the criminal action. … Logic indicates delaying strategies” said Morcillo.

During his time in office Vallarino blundered from crisis to crisis until  Panamenista Deputy Jose Isobel  Blandon became his volunteer front man. Ex-president Ricardo Martinelli  hand-picked a successor, to Vallarino but she was defeated n the 2014  election by Blandon

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/ex-mayor-said-delaying-bribe-trial

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Public Ministry said aiding impunity

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Olga-Obaldia-, TI Director

“THE LACK  of will of Panama’s  Public Ministry (MP) to use all the investigative tools that the law allows and the complicity of the Assembly in protecting officials are the perfect match that produces one result: impunity. ”  said Transparency  International on Thursday, Sep 21.

The statement followed a request made by the Attorney General’s Office to the Judicial Body to issue a provisional dismissal in the investigation of the donations granted by  National Assembly members. The request was made because of lack of information from the Assembly.

The request was a “wasted opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to fight against corruption, ” says  the Foundation for the Development of Citizen’s Freedom, a chapter of  Transparency International (TI).

Meanwhile, Assembly President Yanibel Abrego, said that she understood that the entity

collaborated with the case and that she would “verify with legal advice” what happened.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/public-ministry-said-aiding-impunity

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Bribery suspect moves to “Hotel Odebrecht”

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Carlos Ho.

Ho was transferred from the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ), to what some have dubbed  “Hotel  Odebrecht”  following a preventive detention order issued by Zuleika Moore, one of the prosecutors handling the bribery investigations.

Ho González, worked in two government administrations: Martín Torrijos (2004-2009) and Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014). In both periods, the Brazilian contractor won important public infrastructure projects.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/bribery-suspect-moves-hotel-odebrecht

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Police drug team leader jailed 49 months

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A FORMER National Police Major who headed a special narcotics team was sentenced to  49 months in prison, by  Judge of Guarantees of the First Judicial Circuit, Monica Barrios on Saturday, Oct. 7

Alex Iván Cedeño was indicted on charges of facilitating the escape of persons arrested in drug-related investigations and omission of public duties.

In addition to the sentence, he is disqualified from public functions for three years, after serving the jail time

Defense attorney Roniel Ortíz asked for  the substitution of community work,  for the jail term as the penalty was less than 60 months. But Prosecutor David Mendoza.said “There are still pending cases within the previous system, causes against freedom, against collective security in the form of illicit association and simulation of punishable acts,” and the judge rejected the defense request.

Cedeño was apprehended in Clayton on November 14, 2016, following an investigation related to drug storage.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/police-drug-team-leader-jailed-49-months

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Judge stymies “complex”corruption probes

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Virzii, righ, was a member of the Martinelli., inner circle

A CRIMINAL Court judge after admitting “serious crimes have been committed”  rejected requests from prosecutors to have cases involving high profile figures from the Martinelli era declared “complex” which would give prosecutors time to wrap up their investigations.

Eighteenth criminal judge Baloisa Marquínez rejected two requests from public prosecutors in the “New Business”  case and the process of capital in the loan granted by the Caja de Ahorros (CA) for the convention center in Amador.

In two rulings of August 25, the judge used the same arguments to reject applications by Janeth Rovetto, First Prosecutor Against Organized Crime in the New Business case, and Leyda Sáenz, 7th Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, in the CA process.

In both cases, the judge acknowledged that serious crimes were being committed because “the existence of a structured group Acting  in a concerted manner for the purpose of committing serious crimes to obtain economic benefits or materials “.

The prosecution alleged in its June 30 order that the New Business case be declared “complex” because  of the need for international cooperation, as the transactions investigated were through local and foreign banks.

Judicial sources consulted explained that once the case is denied as complex, the prosecutor must complete the investigation in the time required by the law, six months, and submit their case.  If the judge had accepted the allegations, prosecutors would have two more years, including possible extension.

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Francolini and ex-president Ricardo Martinelli

Among those involved in the New Business investigations are Martinelli inner circle members,  Riccardo Francolini, Gabriel and Mike Btesh,  Henri and Aaron Mizrachi and Felipe Virzi. Several are the targets of other corruption probes.

Although the First prosecutor against Organized Crime, Janeth Rovetto, argued in her application in the New Business that it was a comple case involving  international cooperation, because “the money transfer maneuver was carried out through banks local and foreign courts of different jurisdictions,”  Judge Marquínez, denied the order.

Prosecutor Rovetto also argued that “because it was an operation involving a multiplicity of natural persons and legal entities that carried out a series of financial operations, the traceability of which requires the identification, due to the complexity of the same, it is necessary for the jurisdictional entity to apply the complex procedure within the present case “.

The New Business case is related to a series of transactions carried out for the purchase of the group Editora Panamá América, S.A. (Epasa) – which publishes several print-   media presumably with public funds

In the ruling of August 25, 2017, Judge Marquínez indicated that there is a serious crime but denied  the request of the prosecution, “since it has not been proven that there is a structured group acting in a concerted manner for the purpose of committing serious crimes to obtain economic or material benefits”.

The Court also denied the request for the application of the “complex” procedure in the case related to the loan  granted by the Caja de Ahorros, in favor of the consortium HPC-Contratas-P & V, for the construction of the convention center  in Amador, but according to MP surveys, was used to cover the financial gap of  the Financial Pacific brokerage.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/judge-stymies-complexcorruption-probes

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Prosecution gets more time in overcharge probe

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Domingo Diaz

THE SPECIAL Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has been given a 12 month’s extension to continue the investigation related to supposed multi-million dollar surcharges in the improvement and widening of the Domingo road during in the past government by the consortium of Ingenieros Civiles y Asociados, S.A. (ICA) and Constructora Meco, S.A.

In a ruling dated Oct 5, Judge Leslie Loaiza, accepted the request of the prosecution and granted the extension, “because they are vital proceedings which requires a reasonable amount of time for their response.

“… It should be remembered that the purpose of the criminal process is to investigate crimes, discover and judge their authors and participants,” said Judge Loaiza in granting the extension.

The file originated from a complaint filed by the Comptroller of the Republic, Federico Humbert, who on April 26 handed over to the Public Prosecutor’s Office the result of five audits on projects carried out in the previous administration, including expansion of Domingo Díaz.

Humbert, also , provided the result of audits on the works of the corridor Via Brazil-stretch I and the corridor Via Brazil-stretch II, by the construction company FCC; preservation of the historical heritage of Panama City and the Cinta Costrera phase 3, carried out by Odebrecht.

The Comptroller’s Office stated that, in total, a possible surplus of $ 318 million projects, all of which took place from the outset in the Ministry of Public Works (MOP).

According to a  Comptroller’s Office press release, all tenders for these projects were held when Federico Suárez served as Minister.The case of the alleged surcharge on the expansion of Domingo Díaz are in charge of prosecutor Ruth Morcillo and so far there are no persons charged since the case is in the summary phase.

The work, which began with great fanfare on May 2, 2012, had a final cost of $237.5 million, although its reasonable price was estimated at $ 190.1 million, so there is some  $47.3 million in possible overpricing, the audit said.

The work included the expansion of the four- to six-lane road and the construction of three  vehicle bridges five pedestrian bridges; the widening of the bridges over the rivers

Matías Hernández, Juan Diaz and Tapia, and the extension of the bridge on Ave José Agustín Arango. Everything was scheduled to be completed in 36 months.

In August 2012, Suárez left the MOP and the portfolio was taken over by Jaime Ford. By May 2013, Ford announced that work would be completed on July 14, 2014.

A few days after the May 2014 elections, Carlos Ho, then director of MOP Special Projects indicated that the  Domingo Diaz Avenue project and others complementary works were  74% complete. The work was finished in 2015.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/prosecution-gets-more-time-in-overcharge-probe

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Ruling party hit by bombshell corruption confession

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Jaime Lasso and Juan Carlos Varel

ON THE DAY  that Panama’s business organizations planned  a massive  demonstration against corruption and impunity revelations were published of a former ambassador’s role in transferring $700,000  from Odebrecht to the election campaign of President Juan Carlos Varela.

According to a  statement to  anti-corruption  prosecutors by the former ambassador of Panama in South Korea,  Jaime Lasso,  from April 2011 to May 2012, $1.4 million was triangulated from Odebrecht through the offshore Poisedón company and $700,000 went to the Panamenista Party.

Money laundering?
It would have violated the electoral law and could lead to charges of money laundering, former Electoral Tribunal judge (TE) Guillermo Márquez Amado told La Prensa. 

In recent days, President Varela emphasized that investigations by the Public Prosecutor’s Office “must continue with the support of all Panamanians because the fight against corruption cannot be stopped” reports Panama America.

Lasso, confessed before the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office that André Rabello – former head of Odebrecht in Panama- consigned $700,000 to the Don James Foundation, which went to the Panameñista Party for  Varela’s election campaign in 2009.

The ex-judge said that the electoral law prohibits donations from abroad to political parties.

Offshore companies
Lasso also said that he provided advice to Odebrecht on lobby issues, for which he bought two offshore companies: Poseidón and V-Tech.

La Prensa was able to confirm that Poseidón, according to Meinl Bank records, received $1.4 million between April 5, 2011 and May 23, 2012, from accounts of Klienfeld Services Ltd. and Innovation Research Engineering and Development Ltd., both controlled by Odebrecht financial operators.

Jaime Lasso del Castillo was investigated by the Public Ministry (MP) almost two months ago, accused of crimes against the economic order.

He is  a doctor who entered politics in 2008 when he joined the Panameñista Party and became ambassador and consul in South Korea during the past administration when there was still was an alliance between Martinelli’s CD Party and the Varela led Panameñistas.

To begin with, he said he received $700,000 – in five contributions – for the 2009 campaign,  funds deposited, not in the accounts of the Panameñista Party, but in the foundation “mixing that money with all my assets “.

Then, he made checks that were deposited “in the 2009 political campaigns of Varela completing the triangulation: through the foundation as without leaving a trace of Odebrecht’s money.

Black money
In 2009 the Brazilian Luiz Antonio Mameri – then Vice President of Odebrecht for Latin America and Angola -, confessed that his company had contributed to “$400,000 of black funds” to the campaign of former President Ricardo Martinelli.

The Odebrecht contributions, as always, were not free. Lasso said he met the Odebrecht superintendent in Panama, André Rabello, at the beginning of 2009, at the inauguration of the Panama-Colón highway.

“He [Rabello] expressed his interest in accessing   Panameñista Party members.”. The company -said the doctor- sought their political support for its intention to seek contracts.

That’s how candid the statements were. And Lasso did not waste time. Rabello was introduced to a small circle of power: including then vice president, now president Juan Carlos Varela.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/ruling-party-hit-bombshell-corruption-confession

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Appeals  Court  revokes dismissal decisions

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Ex-Minister Giselle Burillo facing criminal trial

THE FORMER  Minister of  Micro, Small and Medium  Enterprises (Ampyme) Giselle Burillo, will be facing criminal trial after a Panama appeals court revoked two dismissals that a lower court had ruled in her favor.

Both proceedings are for the alleged commission of the crime of peculation (embezzlement of state funds).

In a ruling of August 30, under the presentation of Judge Adolfo Mejía, the Second Superior  Court revoked the provisional dismissal ordered by the Sixteenth Criminal Court in November 2016 in favor of Burillo and six other people, as part of the process related to the rental of mobile plants.

on November 21, 2016, the sixteenth criminal judge, Enrique Pérez,  had granted a provisional dismissal in favor of Burillo and the ex-employees of the Ampyme

in the process related to a supposed surcharge of $58,072  in contracts for the supply of transport services for the movement and transfer of mobile plants in the country.

Another  investigation was related to alleged irregularities in 38 purchase orders to a company that did not even have rental vehicles

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/appeals-court-revokes-dismissal-decisions

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PRD  demands Varela bribery investigation

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Pedro Miguel Gonzalez
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The general secretary of the PRD, Panama’s largest  political party, Pedro Miguel González, accompanied by party members  at a Wednesday,  December 6 press conference  said  that “not even the President of the Nation is above the law”

“I reiterate that there are enough elements to open an investigation against Varela, since “the Panamanian people know that the President not only received a donation of $200,000 .”

He added that President Varela intends to strengthen his control over the entire judicial system with
the new judicial appointments, and guarantee a majority in the Court and “maintain control over
the actions of the Public Ministry, as it has been doing “.

According to González, the country has regressed on the issue of justice when it ignores
agreements of the State Pact for Justice and consensus on the scrutiny processes

Varela has been under fire since a former ambassador confessed to funneling large amounts of Odebrecht money to the Panamenista election campaign.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/prd-demands-varela-bribery-investigation

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Direct city contract in 400% inflation probe

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contract canceled
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A company under investigation in Spain for inflating the cost of training programs in four  Panama provinces by 400%, got three direct consulting contracts during the current Panama City administration.

Alain  Anguizola, training coordinator of Central  Supply Markets, S.A., (Mercasa) claims  the company complied with all contracts

Panama Mayor, José Isabel Blandón, said Monday, December 11 that one of the contracts related to the design of a  peripheral market in Juan Díaz, is in the process of cancellation for “breach of contract”.

Anguizola counterclaimed that this is “totally false, reports La Prensa.

Anguizola is mentioned by Spanish media as the person involved in Panama in the cost overruns, but noted that he did not negotiate contracts, nor is in charge of the financial part.

Blandón, disassociated himself from any anomaly related to the investigation carried out in Spain against representatives of the Mercasa).

The  Spanish state company is being investigated for the alleged systematic payment of commissions in Africa and Latin America in exchange for contracts related to consultancies. Including cost overruns in training project for traders of the Cold Chain in Panama during the last government.

In the case of Blandón said that during three contracts operating during his term were given by a different administration.

He said  that of the three contracts that the Municipality with Mercasa, one that was related to the consulting service, writing of the project of reform, expansion and modernization of the San Felipe Neri market, for $290 000, and another regarding a study service for the strategic location of future  peripheral city  markets for $290,000.He said that both projects were completed.

A $212,000 thousand, contract for the design of a peripheral market in Juan Diaz, was canceled due to non-compliance. Despite what was said by Blandón, data from Panama Compra and the Comptroller General show that the first two contracts were canceled says La Prensa.

Referring to trips by the Mayor’s staff, Blandon said that although they were invited by Mercasa, “I do not let companies pay for tickets for officials of the Mayor’s Office “.

He added:  “It is being suggested that there was something wrong with the contracts of the City Hall when it’s not like that. ”

The investigations in Spain link the former president of the Community of Madrid Ignacio González, and his brother, Pablo González, former Director of Strategy and Operations of the Mercasa company, with the alleged systematic payment of commissions from the company.

In Panama, Mercasa obtained multi-million dollar contracts between 2010 and 2016. One of the last officials of the Municipality to travel to Spain was the general secretary, Guillermo Bermúdez: “We hired them directly because they already had studies and were in Panama. It was a Spanish public company and it never crossed our minds that there was some act of corruption” he said.

Anguizola, said that  what Mayor Blandón said about the design project of the Juan Díaz market was “false”

He acknowledged that auditors of the Office of the Comptroller General (CGR) inspected the Mercasa offices in Panama and they were provided with all the information related to the training contract for merchants of the Cold Chain.

CGR auditors also went to the offices of the Chain  to obtain information

Roque Maldonado, the manager of the Chain  said  there is an ongoing investigation in the Public Prosecutor’s Office and they have collaborated with  all requests for information.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/direct-city-contract-400-inflation-probe

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Court upholds money laundering probe

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ANOTHER  blocking tactic by a high profile suspect facing criminal charges has been thrown out, this time involving Cristóbal Salerno, who has testified he took suitcases stuffed with cash to Ricardo Martinelli when he was president and is facing money laundering and embezzlement charges.

The Second Criminal Court rejected an nullity incident filed against the investigation carried out by the Seventh Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office over  alleged money laundering related to the collection of delinquent taxes through the company Cobranzas del Istmo (CISA).

In a ruling dated December 9 , Second Criminal, Judge, Johann Barrios, dismissed the arguments presented by Gustavo Sierra Castellanos, defender of Salerno,  alleging  that the process for his client was  based on the same facts as the summary proceedings carried by the First Criminal Court for alleged embezzlement.

Judge Barrios, however, concluded that the crime of money laundering imputed Salerno is autonomous, regulated independently by the Criminal Code.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/court-upholds-money-laundering-probe

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IMPUNITY: Insider stole millions, dodges jail

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Have money will walk
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A BUSINESSMAN who told prosecutors that he made regular deliveries of suitcases stuffed with $400,00 -$600,000  in cash to ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, is absolved from jail time by paying $300,000.

Cristóbal Salerno was sentenced on Friday, January 5, to  48 months in prison, replaced by payment of a fine. In messages posted on Twitter, the Public Ministry (MP) explained that First Criminal Circuit, Judge  Agueda Rentería, approved  a punishment agreement and condemned Salerno to a prison sentence, but he  will not go to jail because the court replaced the penalty with a  500 days fine at the rate of $600 a day, making a total of $300,000 d payable in four months.

The judge also ordered the confiscation of $20 million in the case, investigated by anti-corruption prosecutors.

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Luis Cucalon.

Cobranzas del Istmo received a lucrative contract from the former government to collect back taxes on a commission basis. It collected more than $40 million, Salerno also said he gave a check for $2.8 million to former Revenue Department Director Luis Cucalón, recently jailed in another case. Salerno is also facing criminal charges in another investigation.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/impunity-martinelli-buddy-stole-millions-dodges-jail

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19 hours ago, Moderator_02 said:

 

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Civil Society protests sweetheart deal for multi-million embezzler

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Embezzled multi-millions, no jail
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THE JUDGMENT allowing a Ricardo Martinelli confident who stole millions from the State to buy himself out of a four-year jail term has raised the ire of sectors of civil society and widespread condemnation by observers and commentators, and concerns over similar immunity deals for other high profile figures.

Cristóbal Salerno, owner of Cobranzas del Istmo, S.A.,(Cisa was sentenced to 48 months in prison for embezzlement in the collection of the delinquent portfolio of the State, but will not go to prison, because the penalty was replaced with a 500 days fine, at $600 a day or $300,000 in total.

He will also have to return  $20 million he embezzled. [A  local bank worker who stole $5,000, was recently sentenced to six years behind bars]

Freddy Pitti, of the Together We Decide Movement, said the agreement further weakens justice, while Annette Planells, of the Independent Movement (Movin), said that it leaves a bad taste.

The penalty agreement  was validated Friday, January 5 by  First Criminal  Judge  Agueda Renteria,

The agreement agreed with the Anti-Corruption Discharge Office is related to the investigation

of  Salerno following the collection of delinquent taxes from the State through Cisa with an exclusive contract obtained in 2010 with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).

“There is no money to compensate for the damage that all these people have done, not only to the treasury but to institutionality, “said Planells.

“It will be years before citizens can regain confidence in our institutions and, even though part of what they stole from us is recovered; We have a justice system that is characterized by favoring the corrupt, it leaves us with a bad taste the fact that it will not pay with jail is a crime,”, she added

She said that the punishment agreement resulting from the confession of Salerno was a severe condemnation of the officials who had to watch over the interests of all Panamanians.

“Impunity is the greatest incentive for corruption, we need exemplary punishments for the corrupt to discourage this bad practice that is eating away at our institutions “,

Planells said. that this agreement confirms that society perceives that justice acts selectively when it comes to “white-collar” criminals, such as Salerno, and acts forcefully when it comes to ordinary Panamanians.

“With people who injured the heritage of Panamanians with millions of dollars, justice is very flexible, and that does not help in the task of strengthening the justice system so weakened at this time and with so little credibility, “said Pitti.

He said that justice should not only focus on recovering money but to exert pressure and make this person serve the 48 months of prison without any t possibility of parole  for the crimes he confessed he committed “

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/civil-society-protests-sweetheart-deal-multi-million-embezzler

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Ex-mining boss bid to exit Panama denied

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Mining entrepreneur and former governor of Cocle Richard Fifer Carles who is facing criminal charges  has lost a bid to escape precautionary measures  pending his trial on April 2.and will continue unable to leave the country

According to his lawyer, Julio César Pinzón. he should receive specialized medical treatment abroad recommended by his doctor, but at a hearing on Thursday. February 1, at the 7th Anti-crruption prosecutor’s office, it was ruled that he will continue in country jail (not allowed to travel out of Panama).

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/ex-mining-boss-bid-exit-panama-denied

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Three eras in corruption probes

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Corruption under three presidents
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Yesterday, a hotbed of searches, detention orders and resuscitated investigations  returned to the public spotlight two of the most emblematic cases of corruption and manipulation of our financial system: Financial Pacific and Odebrecht. After favorable rulings in both the Supreme Court of Justice and the Second  Superior Court and Canadian judicial assistance, the Public Ministry has the board cleared to move their chips. It is the prosecutors who must demonstrate with their actions that the intention to fight corruption is real and impartial. Remember that Odebrecht has been in the country since the government of Martín Torrijos and that some of those linked to that scandal also have relationships with the current government. For its part, Financial Pacific has left us with the bad mouth taste of improvisation, manipulation, and the memory of procedural pieces lost from the file, all of which smells of impunity. On the shoulders of the prosecutors and their work teams is the historical responsibility to make a difference. The Public Ministry has to confirm that it was worth the wait and sacrifice …LA PRENSA. Apr.26
 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/features/media-watch/three-eras-in-corruption-probes

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On 7/5/2016 at 10:21 AM, Keith Woolford said:

Martinelli is linked to the case because the majority shareholder of Crobranzas del Istmo, Cristóbal Salerno, said he delivered bags of cash to the Ricamar offices in exchange for the contract.

 

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Convicted businessman gets 6 months  extension to pay $290,000 fine

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Salerno
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Convicted businessman Cristóbal Salerno, who claimed that he delivered suitcases of cash to Ricardo Martinelli in the presidential palace has been given an extra six months to pay $290,000  of of fine days.

The payment of the fine days is to supplant his four year jail sentence for  embezzlement and corruption of public servants to the detriment of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).

According to the Judiciary, the payment agreement of fine days was granted by the First Criminal Court of Panama. The Judge of Compliance of the First Judicial Circuit of Panama,  made the decision after hearing the arguments from the lawyer of  Salerno, Nedelka Díaz; of the anticorruption discharge prosecutor, Adecio Mojica, and of the plaintiff on behalf of the MEF, Jorge Isaac Ortega.

Diaz pointed out Salerno’s need to obtain an  extension of the deadline for the payment of $290,00, due to family problems, that have caused difficulties to face the debt.

While the prosecutor Mojica and the lawyer of the MEF did not oppose the request The judge  granted six more months for the payment of the fine, starting  Thursday, June 28.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/convicted-businessman-gets-extra-6-months-extension-to-pay-290000-fine

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Case against ex-judge heading to 4th  year

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Victor Benavides
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The case against a Supreme Court Judge who resigned three years ago days before the imputation hearing of charges of embezzlement, money laundering and corruption of officials is still plodding forward says the Fifteenth Criminal Court.

Víctor Benavides is still under investigation by the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office of Discharge and, the Second Superior Court of Justice has resolved four incidents of controversy and two of nullity, presented the defense attorneys, and also a request for extension and accumulation presented by the prosecution. Five appeals have not been admitted.

On May 18, 2016, the Court granted an application for a  six months investigation extension to the office of the prosecutor

However, this decision was appealed by the defense, and the appeal was rejected by the Second Superior Court. The defense reacted by presenting a clarification brief, which was admitted.

The Second Superior Court forwarded the file to the court on June 20, “and they are awaiting a re-entry order to be sent to the prosecutor’s office, “said the Judicial Branch in a press release in which there is a broad breakdown of the resources resolved to date.

“The lawyers, exercising their defense, have the availability to present all the resources that it contemplates the Judicial Code and the Penal Code, therefore the Fifteenth Court cannot prevent the parties making use of them, “adds the press release.

Benavides resigned as a magistrate, on June 19, 2015,  a few days before the imputation hearing of charges in the National Assembly,

Then, the Deputy Jorge Alberto Rosas-acting as prosecutor-referred the file to the Attorney General’s Office.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/case-against-ex-judge-heading-to-4th-year

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Ex- Colon  mayor  facing corruption probe

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Damasco Garcia
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Damaso Garcia, former mayor of Colon and would be CD candidate for Deputy member of the Panameñista Party, reported on Tuesday, Jul.31 that seven units of the DIJ are seeking to arrest him for alleged crimes against public administration.

Garcia, who registered to participate in the Democratic Change (CD) primary election, said on the day of his nomination – Wednesday, June 25 – that he received a summons to investigate ina case that involving alleged loss of backhoes. He said  the complaint was presented by the current mayor Federico Policani.

The former mayor said that the process that is followed is political and rigged and behind it is Policani.

He said he has received threats that if he gives up his political aspirations they will not go after his son Joseph Daniel García reports El Siglo.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/ex-colon-mayor-facing-corruption-probe

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