Panamas suspended attorney general sentenced to six months jail

 In a five to four decision after two hours of deliberation, Panama’s  Supreme Court on Wednesday (August 11) condemned suspended Attorney General Ana Matilde Gomez,to six months in prison for for authorizing wiretapping  while investigating a prosecutor accused of receiving a bribe. 

The sentence involves six months’ imprisonment and disqualification from holding public office for four years. The jail sentence was switched to a fine of $4,000 which she says she will not pay
"They are corrupt administering justice." She said, through tears, shortly after the verdict. The crowd including family, friends and lawyers who worked with her applauded.

There has been widespread reaction to the sentence including allegations of political interference.

President Ricardo Martinelli, accused by Gomez of influencing the prosecution,  said on Thursday that  it was time to turn the page on the case.
Further condemnation comes amid a scandal over wire tapping at the Office of Administration. But unlike Gomez, who authorized the interception to prosecute an act of corruption, Oscar Ceville of the Administration; accused of violating the privacy of subordinates has not been accused of a crime and continues in office says La Prensa.
Her defense team announced it will present a petition for review.

Archimedes Sáez wassitting in the court smiling when the sentence was delivered said La Prensa. The former prosecutor of La Chorrera, who is free on bail, awaiting trial on charges of extortion, is responsible for her appearance in court after denouncing a year ago the alleged abuse of authority and abuse of functions for allowing the interception of a telephone as part of a covert operation to prove that he was seeking a bribe.

 Gomez was appointed on January 3, 2005, by then-President Martin Torrijos. She was suspended from office on Feb. 5 and had five years to complete her term. She became the second prosecutor since the military dictatorship to be sentenced and expelled from office. The first was Rogelio Cruz, in 1993.

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