Corruption scandal a media creation Shamah

The Italy-Panama corruption scandal is a creation of the media and the political opposition according to Panama’s tourism administrator.

Solomon Shamah was speaking on TVN news on Monday, April 23.

Downplaying  wire tap revelations from the files of prosecutors in Italy, Shamah, a close associate of President Ricardo Martinelli. who although not a minister attends cabinet meetings, said that the country is not part of the research done by Italian authorities  into  businessman Valter Lavítola in relation to a lot of alleged crimes, including international corruption. 

"The investigation does not include Panama," Shamah said, citing  as proof, “Italian prosecutors have  not requested information from this country”

Shamah’s US visa was withdrawn following WikiLeaks revelations of DEA suspicions that he was involved in money laundering. At the time Martinelli said a new tourism chief would be appointed, but  Shamah, a Colombian, remained at his post.

In the meantime, Panama’s Foreign Minister, Rauol Mulino, has flown to Italy, to meet with Italian government officials.