CD candidate denounced for sexual harassment

A CRIMINAL complaint against Democratic Change (CD) deputy candidate Noriel Salerno, for the alleged commission of crimes against sexual freedom and integrity was filed on Tuesday, November 18, with Panama’s Assistant Attorney General.

The complaint was filed by Elvianeth Yisel Hernandez, along with herlawyer Julio Núñez. Hernandez accused Salerno of having harassed her in April, prior to the general elections, when she went to his home in Aguadulce to request “financial assistance”.
After then deputy Salerno- handed her $!50 in cash, “he took her hand and told her that in exchange for the financial support he had given her his he wanted her to send him a picture of her in a bikini and naked,” said the lawyer.
Hernandez was one of the witnesses at the Electoral Tribunal hearing against Salerno, who was challenged by the Panameñista candidate Omar Cornejo.
On the day of the hearing on September 16, Salerno denied allegations of sexual harassment. Salerno was challenged after he was accused of using public funds to promote his campaign for re-election as a deputy in the 2-4, Aguadulce, Cocle circuit.
An audit report of the Electoral Tribunal found that in the period from January 2013 to May 2014 the then CD deputy asked for $1,562 331 through the National Assistance Program (PAN).
On October 14, the judges of the Electoral Tribunal annulled the proclamation of Salerno as a deputy and ordered new elections.