Ex-mayor appeals bribery investigation

“BOSCO” VALLARINO, Panama’s former mayor who was captured on video, allegedly accepting a bribe while still in office,has filed a notice of appeal against the request for an investigation made to the Auxiliary Prosecutor
His lawyer, Rubén Castrejo, filed the notice in the 10th Circuit Court on Monday, May 18.
The video was part of a Martinelli era sting operation set up by former government officials to force Vallarino from office.
The video was circulated on social networks and TV channels in February. It allegedly shows the mayor’s neighbor, Alexandre Ventura Nogueira, giving him $30,000 on behalf of contractors. The bribe was supposedly, from potential bidders for parking garages.
Vallarino a Panameñista who had a long standing confrontational relationship with former President Ricardo Martinelli, resigned suddenly citing health concerns. He was replaced by CD insider Roxana Mendez.