Presidential home tax scandal attacked

THE PRESIDENT (Ricardo Martinelli) "exhibits a large degree of immorality never seen in the history of the country." says former Comptroller Carlos Vallarino.

The comment came following an investigation by La Prensa revealing that the Martinelli family has two properties in the exclusive area of Altos del Golf with a recorded value of $290,000

The market value of these properties is estimated at $4 million which would mean a huge jump in Martinelli’s property taxes.
Confronted with the information, Martinelli said he was unaware of the valuation and that the property had not been revalued for 25 years He then said he would voluntarily request a revaluation and at the same time, called for the owners of other luxury projects to do the same thing. On Tuesday, December 10 he headed for the National Land Authority offices followed by a flock of journalists.
 According to Vallarino, Martinelli has violated the limits of his power by using the revaluations as a political weapon.
"This is an aberration because the law should be first applied to him," Vallarino said.
He also said the move is "a bad example for citizens and employers who pay their taxes."
When President Ricardo Martinelli is asked questions on potentially controversial topics, he always has the same response, said democracy activist Aurelio Barría. "He always says that he doesn't know anything," Barría said.
Independent presidential candidate Gerardo Solís said the president is clearly trying to take advantage of his office to gain an advantage.
"I do not believe that he did not know that the property was undervalued," Solis said. "He knew that he was within the area of a privileged few who were not being revalued."