Two businessmen linked to jailed-ex judge arrested

TWO PANAMA businessmen linked to jailed former Supreme Court Judge Alejandro Moncada Luna ended up behind bars on Friday night, June 26, on the orders of the Special Organized Crime Prosecutor.

Jorge Espino and Julian Paris were arrested for alleged money laundering.
The arrests were related to the process initiated by the National Assembly against Moncada Luna who, in March, began serving five years for unjust enrichment and falsification of documents.
Judicial sources told La Prensa that Paris and Espino are representatives of Conceptos y Espacios, that had construction agreements with the Supreme Court and purportedly from such dealings money went to bank accounts or corporations of the ex–judge.
The prosecutor Nahaniel Murgas, who is leading the investigation, also ordered the detention of Maria Gabriela Reyna of Reyna and Asociados SA., who had a bank account from which more than $1 million was transferred to two other companies linked to Moncada Luna. The fourth detainee so far is Juarez Humberto linked directly to the accounts or companies that ultimately were involved in gathering funds used in the acquisition of apartments for Moncada Luna
Meanwhile, Maria del Pilar Fernandez wife of the ex-judge was interrogated, June 22, and barred from leaving the country.
Murgas, will continue with the hearings this week of others allegedly linked to Moncada Luna and the money laundering activities. They are former vice-president Felipe “Pipo ‘Virzi, nd Ricardo’ Riky Calvo ‘Latorraca Calvo, and others.