Panama-Italy corruption trial

THE FORMER  commercial director of Finmeccanica, Paolo Pozzessere, on trial in Rome   said: “If I could go back in time, I would not hire Agafia,” the company set up in Panama to handle “commissions” for $250 million government contracts.

Pozzessere and , former Panama high roller Valter Lavitola, are on trial and  the commissions are  described by the prosecution  as “bribes”.

Pozzessere,  defended the role of Agafia Corporation as an agent in the execution of contracts between the Italian defense contractor and Panama.

He  said explained that at no time did he think that Agafia had a relationship with former President Ricardo Martinelli.

H e said that his colleagues only checked the legal composition of the company, which received a $25 million commission for acting as the registered agent for the consortium in Panama, which prosecutors have called a bribe.

Pozzessere’s statements were made at a hearing being held in Rome in which he and Valter Lavítola are accused of international corruption in connection with the contract.

The former Finmeccanica official justified the role of Agafia in the deal as acting as a consultant. But prosecutors have said the company did not provide any actual services.

H e said that it was normal for companies to pay “commissions”  of 7 percent to 15 percent for contracts in Central America.

Lavítola, , claimed to have no connection to Agafia, but rosecutors have refuted that claim. They have provided evidence showing that Lavitola opened a bank account in Bulgaria on behalf of Agafia in August 2011 and his female companion at the time was the nominal representative of the company

The payments were blocked after Italian media exposed the scandal. This

led to charges being filed in that country. Prosecutors in Panama are also looking into the matter, and several of the contracts with Finmeccanica subsidiaries have been suspended reports La Prensa.