Panama Stock Exchange boss receiving death threats

THE MAN who set off an investigation into the Pacific Financial brokerage for fraud and money laundering has asked for police protection after receiving multiple death threats.

Alejandro Abood The superintendent of the Panama Stock Exchange, told journalists at his residence on Sunday afternoon. February 2. that in the last five days has received more than 40 phone death threat calls to his private home number. 

Abood said he notified the National Police and the National Security Council of the threats against him and asked that he and his family receive protection. A police officer had been sent to reinforce security.
He said that his job is to make complaints and pursue irregularities, but until a week ago everything was normal.
Two years ago he filed a complaint against Pacific Financial, but he believes the threats are unrelated to the research, because of the time lapse.
During the investigation of Pacific Financial a key auditor in the investigation of the brokerage disappeared. The Superintendency later complained of lack of action over the disappearance. Later denunciations against the owners of the brokerage were archived. The brokerage now back in business under the control of a Brazilian group.
At that time, Mayte Pellegrini, charged with fraud by the operators of the brokerage, had alleged President Martinelli’s involvement in the brokerage, an allegation he categorized as “political.” Later Pelligrini claimed interference by the then Attorney General (now President of the Supreme Court), saying that he obliged her to recant her earlier statements, which had been widely published.
Abood said the current matter had got the attention of President Ricardo Martinelli to enable appropriate action.
He said that he was on vacation during the month of December and returned to his post on January 6, but before then there were some other “difficult situations” but gave no further details reports La Prensa.
He also revealed that some friends had called him to warn of potential risks.