Corruption prosecutor adds to high profile workload

SIXTH ANTI-CORRUPTION Prosecutor Aurelio Vásquez, will be in charge of investigating former Minister of Labor and Workforce Development Alma Cortes, who, according to an audit by the Comptroller General, could not justify  property and goods totaling  $2.5 million.

The information was confirmed yesterday by sources of Public Prosecutions, which on June 7 received the report of the Comptroller.

This investigation determined, among other things, that between 1 July 2009 and 31 May 2015, involved the audit period, Cortes bought an apartment valued at $ 144 thousand in the tower PH 1 Rokaz; other property in Tower 2 of the same building, which cost $ 154,000; a beach house in San Carlos, for $ 255,000; and another residence in Royal Country valued at $ 369,000.

The audit also reveals that companies that obtained contracts with the My First Job, prompting the former minister during her  tenure, to deposit sums of money from companies she gave contracts to, in  a law firm where she was a partner.

According to the investigation, that money would have been used by Cortés to pay for  properties.

Alejandro Perez, a lawyer who assumed the defense of Ricardo Martinelli and is  also responsible for the Democratic Change party, said  Monday, June 21 that he will report  the Comptroller , Federico Humbert, for “divulging information that the law states  is restricted and confidential”.

The case joins other high profile processes handled by Vasquez including alleged irregularities in the purchase of musical instruments with funds from the defunct National Assistance Program (PAN) during the last government.

He also handles the alleged illegal SAP system purchase by , the Social Security Fund (CSS), in which it is alleged  former officials and businessmen received bribes.

In addition, Vasquez is investigating the former governor of Cocle and entrepreneur Richard Fifer, and Rodrigo Esquivel, for allegedly withholding payment of employers’contribution of the CSS through three companies: Petaquilla, Panama Infrastructure Development and Gastronomy South Sea.

He is also investigating the alleged web of corruption of officials of the judiciary.