Money laundering suspect may be caught in own net

PANAMA’S frustrated prosecutors may have figured out a new way to haul money laundering suspect  Nicholas Corcione, in for questioning.

With the aid of a battery of highly proved lawyers the businessman who appears to have followed the out of country  flight path of a group of high profile suspects in multiple corruption investigations, has avoided appearing before the organized crime prosecutor, based on a tenuous argument relating to his position as a board member of the Canal Authority(ACP)

But that approach may now be enmeshed in its own net

Administration Prosecutor Rigoberto Gonzalez has warned (ACP) Board of Directors chairman Roberto Roy that he must report the absences of Corcionnwto the presidency to determine if he should be suspended or removed.

Under article 20 of the Organic Law of the Panama Canal, the president has the authority to suspend or remove a board member for continued absences.

National Authority of Transparency and Access to Information manager, Angelica Maytín, also called for action to be taken in this case, saying that “it is unsustainable for a member to be absent. One can abstain from a meeting due to a conflict of interest, but not indefinitely”.

Roy, who is out of the country, said he would analyze the issue.

Corcione is being investigated for the alleged crime of money laundering in connection with accounts linked to former Supreme Court judge Alejandro Moncada Luna.

In a letter dated August 16, Corcione informed Roy of his decision to take a leave of absence from the board to address the charges. However, lawyers for Corcione have also argued that he cannot be investigated by the Public Ministry due to his membership on the board.

González has argued that the leave requested by Corcione is not valid because it can’t be made for an indefinite period of time.

“It is a requirement of board members to attend meetings and fulfill the responsibilities for which they were assigned”, he said.

If President Varela gets involved it will inevitably bring out the Martinelli mantra “political persecution” even if money laundering is proved.