Direct from Italy more questionable (a kind word) activities of the past President of Panama.
"The First Criminal Court of Naples - presided over by judges Francesco Pellecchia, Stefania Daniele and Diana Bottillo - has confirmed that businessman Valter Lavítola demanded a bribe from the company Impregilo on behalf of the government of Panama.
The judges determined that it was clear that Impregilo was asked for $20 million to pay for the construction of a hospital in Veraguas in exchange for Metro contracts, which was "a masked" request for a bribe by former President Ricardo Martinelli.
The decision states that Lavitola brokered a $50,000 payment from Impregilo to pay for a luxury vacation for Martinelli and his associates on the Italian island of Sardinia.
This money was transferred by the Italian company to a secret account that Lavitola had access to. The decision states that there are "complex and varied elements of proof which are unequivocally converging" and which point to Lavítola acted as an intermediary between Italy and Panama through "corrupt practices."
At the trial, former Impregilo officials admitted in court that Martinelli demanded money to ensure the company received future contracts.
Defense lawyers reached an agreement with prosecutor Vincenzo Piscitelli to have their client serve two years in prison, which was later reduced to 11 months. Lavítola has two other convictions for extortion and international corruption in cases related to Panama, and has other ongoing cases related to the alleged payment of $25 million in bribes by defense contractor Finmeccanica. The trial is convened for next May 14.
He also faces an investigation in the Court of Naples for international corruption in a case involving Svemark Consortium."
http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Confirm-corruption-Panama_21_4175792381.html
Replies
Exactly John. When the Country is in so much debt, it's hard to justify spending more money trying to finish projects left undone by the previous administration. I just hope people realize this.
If ya can't get a gig as a Political Strongman, there's always plenty of demand for bagmen, henchmen, and boot-heel lick-spittle lackeys.
If Martineli was getting the money to build a hospital what is wrong with that? Making an evil corporation pay to play?
I hear that's how the system here works. I thought I read here on Ning the Taiwanese building the market in Bajo? I wonder what they received for that "donation".
some pavo or pollo
Work started on the Mercado project again in February and it is nearing completion, Bruce.
I think its just plain sad. While I am not naïve to the correlation of corruption and politics. the extent of the allegations against Martinelli has some serious reach and depth. Its shocking. I find it hard to believe that there were no "red flags" before now.