$25 million in bribes to Panama alleged

ITALIAN businessman and once Panama insider Valter Lavítola and Paolo Pozzessere, the former commercial director of defense contractor Finmeccanica, have been called to trial in the Court of Rome on Thursday September 25, to face charges of diverting $25 million in bribes from the company to Panamanian officials in exchange for a lucrative contract.

The hearing was postponed from Sept. 16 because Lavitola had not been transferred from the Naples prison where he is being held in connection with another case.
The hearing Wednesday will focus on phone calls that were intercepted by authorities in which the bribes were allegedly discussed. Testifying will be technical experts.
After the hearing, the case will be suspended until Nov. 20, when additional witnesses will begin testifying.
Lawyers from Hogan Lovells – the firm hired by the Panamanian state – may be present in the courtroom as observers, but will not have an active role in the criminal process.
Lavítola is already serving a sentence of 3 years and eight months for fraud and embezzlement of public funds, and one year and four months for extortion. He also has four other ongoing judicial matters