Maritime boss denies basketball tickets gift
THE NATIONAL TRANSPARENCY Authority has opened an investigation into an alleged gift of NBA basketball tickets costing $1,285 to Jorge Barakat, the administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).
The gift was allegedly from Amador Marina, S.A.
On Tuesday, August 2, Barakat denied the allegations. A day earlier he sent a letter to the transparency authority answering questions posed to him as part of the investigation. In that letter he denied any wrongdoing.
Barakat claimed the allegations are being made to discredit him and to affect the agency.
He also denied that he has any ties to Amador Marina, which is appealing a decision made by the agency regarding the concession for 11 hectares controlled by the authority.
The Transparency Authority has not commented about the case.
Panama public servants are prohibited from taking gifts.
