Mayor’s advisor under investigation for alleged extortion

Panama’s mayor, Bosco Vallarino is in the eye of another storm with an advisor under investigation for alleged extortion.

Deputy director of the Legal and Justice  department of Panama City,   Ameth Cerceño  has been linked  with the alleged request for a bribe of $150,000 to prevent the March 14 eviction , ordered by former Calidonia magistrate Liliana Flores  of the armory American Range & Gun Shop, located near Avenida Balboa.

Cerceño was supposed to report  to the office of prosecutor Lizzet Chevalier, on Friday June 3, but his lawyers submitted a medical incapacity  certificate and the judicial process was suspended. No new date has been  set.
Public Ministry sources said that Chevalier Order of inquiry to consider that the file no direct accusations against the officer who engage in this crime. 
As part of the summary, the  investigator’s office has already taken the affidavit of theformer Calidonia  magistrate.
Flores, according to prosecutors, stated that Cerceño was the person who stopped the the proceedings the magistrate  was conducting.
The plaintiff attorney, Maria Eduarda Córdoba, legal representative of MKG- owners  of the land where the armory is located, said that Cerceño approached her and asked her to call the landowner to negotiate.
Cordoba said the official from the Mayor of Panama requested $150 000 from the owner of the farm to end the process.
She  said she will continue in herrole as prosecutor in this case, until the authorities apply punishments to Cerceño.
La Prensa reported that Córdoba. added that a city official with the rank of deputy director of Legal and Justicecannot suspend proceedings and ask for money, without the backing of his superiors. "We expect to continue advancing research to seek the arrests on record, including the mayor Bosco Vallarino," said Cordoba.
Telemetro Report said that Cerceño denied the accusations and said that  he had  lodged an accusation of libel against Córdoba.

The TV station said it tried to get to Vallarino or a spokesman, to comment  but they refused.