Mayors Christmas Cinta Costera fest cost $1.4 million

Panama city’s floundering mayor overspent the budget for his Christmas charade on the Cinta Costera by $300,000, but released no details to his council members.

The government is also on the hook  for scores of thousands of dollars for repairs to the grass and infrastructure.
Bosco Vallarino, appeared before the City Council on Tuesday to present his report on how funds were spent for the "The World’s Largest Christmas.”

But Vallarino gave no details of the costs but did reveal that it was nearly 30 percent over budget. It cost $1.4 million, $300,000 more than had been approved by the City Council.

Earlier investigations focused on the awarding of  no bid contracts and deals with associates of the Mayor and his staff.

The mayor’s presentation was strongly criticized and lacking in substance. The council demanded a copy of the report and demanded presentation by city treasurer Emerardo Martinez.

The council asked the Comptroller to investigate the mayor. Vallarino is also being investigated by the Public Ministry by authorizing a check to his wife for a trip to Taiwan.

In the meantime the mayor of San Miguelito ,Valdes Carrasquilla. is under investih¡gation for not being able to justify how, he disappearance of half a million dollars over the last five years.
Several audits point to him as primarily responsible for the loss of money Several prosecutions are under way.