Martinelli helicopter donation recording genuine – participant

Italian entrepreneur Mauro Velocci said Wednesdaym October 9, that the recording in which he promised to deliver a helicopter to President Ricardo Martinelli in exchange for a lucrative government contract is authentic.

La Prensa reported:"This conversion was made, and it was clear," said Velocci, a representative of Svemark, the Italian company that tried to get a contract to build modular prisons in the country.

The Italian entrepreneur added that the voices of the people at the meeting are himself, Valter Lavítola and Ricardo "Rica" Martinelli Linares, one of Martinelli's sons.
Rica Martinelli Linares was there to negotiate the delivery of a helicopter to his father, according to testimony collected by Italian prosecutors. The aircraft would be bought by the Italian company in accordance with specifications given by Rica Martinelli Linares.
The only legal process that is open in Panama in the case is against PRD leader Balbina Herrera for releasing e-mails between Martinelli and Lavítola. Herrera said "it is a disgrace" that the allegations of corruption are not being pursued here.
She also noted that, in her case, her defense lawyers were not allowed to check the president's computer to confirm the validity of emails.
Herrera reiterated that an investigation should be opened by both the public prosecutor and the National Assembly.
Molirena Deputy Jorge Alberto Rosas indicated that elements that have emerged this week "cannot be designated as old news." Rosas noted that these new elements confirm the version given from the beginning by Velocci and refute what was said by President Martinelli when the scandal originally broke.