Ex-PAN directors face the music again

Two ex PAN directors previously investigated in the National Assistance Program (PAN) scandal are facing  new corruption charges.

Giacomo Tamburrelli and Rafael Guardia Jaen, former PAN directors allegedly committed  crimes against public administration for possible anomalies in the purchase of 3,450 musical instruments for public schools, sources of the Public Ministry told La Prensa.

In the investigation by the Sixth Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, similar charges were made against businessman Roberto Carretero, who would have been benefited with the transaction, He  is also  involved in numerous other corruption  cases..

The Sixth Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, Aurelio Oliver Vasquez will interrogate Guardia Jaen, who is detained in El Renacer prison. Tamburelli’s house arrest was recently changed to country arrest.

According to the investigation, in November, 2013 the Office of the General Comptroller approved a  $4 million contract for the PAN to provide public schools with musical instruments.

Three months later, Guardia Jaen awarded another contract in the amount of $5 million to society Country Max, SA, which was created during the government of Ricardo Martinelli.

During the month of July , the prosecution made an inspection of the offices of the PAN, in Casco Viejo, to gather information about the procedures related to hiring and purchasing. Made by the PAN, The Public Ministry is investigating possible overruns in the acquisition of the musical instruments, which showed a rapid deterioration, denounced by the principals of the public schools who received them.