Money laundering suspect plays cat and mouse

 NICOLAS CORCIONE, who has been playing cat and mouse with authorities attempting to question him in an investigation of alleged money laundering, reappeared at a meeting of the board of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP),  on Thursday. September 24.

He  announced that, he  has returned to his seat as a board member, which he has been using as a shield to stymie the probe.

It has also lead to widespread criticism of President Juan Carlos Varela over lack of action when Corcionne was missing and fellow board  members and civil groups called for his removal.

“I’m here doing my duty, my responsibility as director of the ACP,, as I always said I would do, waiting for the due process, which is what as Panamanians we all want and respect Corcione told journalists. He was  absent from board meetings for two months and from three working committees to which he belongs.

Canal  Minister and chairman of the ACP  board Roberto Roy, read a note which confirmed the reinstatement of Corcione “completely” to all activities.

“We view positively the engineer Corcione has returned the country to face his  legal situation. Now we have follow  the situation tosee  the legal proceedings prescribed by law are met,” Roy said.

Since 29 July, Organized Crime specialized prosecutor, Nahaniel Murgas, has tried to meet with  Corcione for questioning, but he never showed up: first, claiming  that it was family trip; then, that in his capacity as adirector of the ACP, claiming he should be investigated under the rules of the accusatory penal system and not the inquisitorial system.

“I think it is not wise to talk about process.his is done in court, not in the media. So wait. Here I am fulfilling my duties and my responsibilities on the board of the Panama Canal” Corcione said, when asked by the investigation, reports La Prensa.

It came four days after the Sixteenth Criminal Justice, Enrique Perez, issued a resolution disqualifying  himself from the controversial incident presented by Corcione’slawyers against the investigation order of Murgas. The reason given by the judge is that as a “director” of the ACP, the case must go to the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the defense had requested a court hearing to determine who hadthe power to investigate his client.

After hearing the judge’s Perez  ruling Corcione’s lawyer, Roberto Moreno, announced the withdrawal from  the hearing before Judge Harry Diaz, appointed as a judge of guarantees. The hearing was to be held September 23 at 2:00 pm and hours before the defense announced their intentions.