Supreme Court Says Martinelli Embezzlement Cases To Proceed (from Newsroom Panama)

[Hil]

PANAMA’S Supreme Court (CSJ) in special session on Monday, March 2m flatly rejected attempts presented by Ricardo Martinelli’s lawyers for the court to reverse its decision to allow criminal cases against the former president (2009-2014)..

 The court maintains its decision to criminally investigate former president Ricardo Martinelli for the alleged crime of embezzlement.
At a special meeting, the full CSJ rejected the two reviews submitted by Rogelio Cruz and Raul Gonzalez, lawyers for Martinelli, against the decision of January 28 this year, to admitted the criminal case against the president of the Republic.
Also in today's meeting, a warning of unconstitutionality presented by Cruz was rejected.
For these decisions to remain it just needs the judges to sign a final resolution which should be drafted by Hernán De Leon and notified to the parties.
the Electoral Tribunal (TE) must order the lifting of electoral immunity held by Martinelli, as president of Democratic Change (CD).
The process following Martinelli is related to the record opened by the Second Anticorruption Prosecutor over assumptions of payment of aoverruns in contracts to acquire dehydrated to distribute food in public schools. The contracts, totaling $45 million were made through the National Assistance Program (NAP).
Giacomo Tamburrelli, former director of the PAN, said in his statement that he negotiated contracts on direct instruction of Martinelli.

[Joanne]

And now to add TAX FRAUD to his crimes:

http://www.bananamarepublic.com/2015/03/05/martinelli-tax-fraud-sug...

[Lee Zeltzer]

Panama / AP

Thursday, March 5, 2015 - 13:15

1681

Alejandro Moncada Luna, maguistrado separated from the Panamanian Supreme Court, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for unjustified enrichment, in an unpublished case of corruption in high places that captured the nation's attention.

A panel of three judges approved a settlement whereby the separate Supreme Court Alejandro Moncada Luna is guilty of unjust enrichment and falsification of public documents on Thursday.

The judges and deputies of a subcommittee of guarantees, Ana Matilde Gómez, Zulay Rodríguez and Katleen Levy, gave the green light to the agreement after listening to a hearing the arguments of the prosecutor and deputy Pedro Miguel González and counsel of Moncada.

In the agreement a prison sentence of 60 months for Moncada and the judges of garanrtías ratified the sentence the accused was established. 
This is the first time in Panama's history that a judge of the Supreme Court is prosecuted and ends with a score of guilt, in a country with an old perception of impunity and public corruption in the higher powers. 
`` This satisfies the need and a feeling in the Panamanian people of justice '' Gomez said, justifying her approval voting. 
The case was vented through the legislature, which under the Constitution is responsible for prosecuting magistrates court. 
The hearing was broadcast live on local television and Panamanians followed closely on the streets and in their offices working. One group was placed outside the National Assembly and shouted `` Prisoner, Moncada Luna '', `` No more impunity ''. 
Moncada Luna was appointing in 2009 as one of the nine justices of the Supreme Court by the previous government of President Ricardo Martinelli for a period of ten years. The appointment was challenged hard by sectors felt that was an attempt by the rightist leader then placed friends in the city and take control of the judiciary. 
In October, the three judges suspended Moncada Luna y ordered house arrest after he was indicted for unjustified enrichment, falsification of public documents, public corruption and money laundering. 
The case was generated after a complaint Bar Association made after journalistic publications that Moncada Moon acquired two luxury apartments worth $ 1.7 million.

[Jim Tosch]

Since renacer means to be reborn maybe Moncada will come out as a hair stylist.

[Jim Tosch]

Renacer is the name of the third big prison.

[Keith Woolford]

El Renacer is close to Gamboa and was built in 1912 by U.S. military. Handed over to Panama in 1979.

[The Zapadora]

Last night on the news there was great fanfare and wild excitement by the media of the transfer of Moncada luna

'hasta el renacer'...???? I cold find no translation of the renacer (except rebirth??)...and none of the Panamanians we asked could explain it....entonces que significa?...anyone??? 

[Keith Woolford]

He can play dominoes with Noriega.

[Hil]

The latest from News Panama

http://newsroompanama.com/index.php/news/panama/former-supreme-cour...

[Jim Tosch]

Supposedly Panamanians are furious with Martinelli. If so someone should propose a boycott of Super 99 until he returns to Panama to face justice. I expect that would get him back here pretty fast. Probably close to a thousand employees and food rotting on the shelves would get his attention.

[Jim Tosch]

I doubt if actions he took after the crimes were committed will hold up. If your friends in David generated some media it might snowball.