15th case against ex-president Martinelli sent to court
THE SUPREME COURT has received a 15th complaint against absconding former President Ricardo Martinelli.
The complaint, from the public prosecutot’s office is based on the alleged payment of bribes for the purchase of computer equipment from the German multinational SAP.
Judge Oydén Ortega will decide whether or not to admit it.
The complaint is based on testimony given by Vicente Eduardo García, 65, who pleaded guilty in California to participating in a “scheme” to bribe three Panamanian officials.
Garcia, who was vice president of global accounts for SAP, was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison.
SAP, , agreed to pay nearly $3.9 million in fines.
Sixth Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Aurelio Vásquez referred the case to the court. The case file identifies Aaron Mizrachi, Martinelli’s brother in law, as an intermediary of Martinelli who negotiated contracts for the acquisition of computer programs from SAP.
As investigator in another case closed in on Mizrachi, he fled the country on Martinelli’s private jet. His son has been arrested in Mexico and is awaiting extradition to Panama to face charges in yet another case.
