Panama Judges selling decisions storm

STATEMENTS by a member of Panama’s Supreme Court (CSJ) that some judges archive cases or sell judgments, published in La Prensa brought a swift response from Civil society and a serving member and former president of the Court.

Civil society asked the National Assembly to open an investigation following statements by Judge Harry Diaz on alleged corrupted record keeping and selling judgments of the . (CSJ).
Judge Harley Mitchell sent the Legislature a copy of the publication, to “determine the appropriate action ” under the Constitution.
Mitchell, who is president of the First Civil Chamber, a member of the Fourth General Affairs Division and is currently acting president of the Supreme Court, sent a note to the President of the Assembly, Adolfo Valderrama, which he based on Article 2 of the Constitution citing the article, published on Sunday, October 26 on page 2A Panorama section.
According to Edna Ramos, representative of the College of Lawyers, the note from Mitchell to the Assembly on the statements of his colleague Harry Diaz, forces the start of a series of audits to identify irregularities that may exist in reports and records remaining in the offices of the different judges.
Ramos explained that although Harry Diaz made no specific accusations, the Assembly should appoint a prosecutor to launch an investigation into his statements and audits to get concrete evidence
Former CSJ Judge Emerald Troitiño Arosemena said that the letter should be the beginning of an investigation, “because Judge Mitchell, in his official duty, makes known to the competent authority a few facts on which to proceed ” .
“It is necessary to investigate, as it is raises question throughout the Body.”