Embezzlement suspect gets $500,000 bail

A FORMER CD  deputy candidate who had been detained since  July last year on embezzlement and money laundering charges  has been granted $500,000 bail.

The Second Court of Justice has overturned a decision of the 14th Criminal Court and granted bail to Porfirio ‘Bolita’ Ellis

A judicial source confirmed that the court was in the process of notification both the third anti-corruption prosecutor and the lawyer defending Ellis of the decision.

Rogelio Cruz, the attorney for Ellis, confirmed that his client was granted bail, but did not confirm the amount.

On July 24, 2015, the 14th Criminal Court rejected a request for the prominent member of the CD.

Cruz appealed that decision, saying there was no risk of the destruction of evidence in the case involving his client, one of the reasons for keeping him incarcerated. He also noted his client has property and family in Panama.

Ellis is being investigated for embezzlement and money laundering related to the diversion of state funds which were allocated for the failed irrigation project in Tonosí, Los Santos.