Italian dealmaker facing Panama corruption charges

VALTER LAVITOLA,  former deal maker between the Ricardo Martinelli government and Italian businesses  is heading  back to court.

After more than six months of delays, Lavitola and former commercial director of the Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica, Paolo Pozzessere, will be called to trial in the Court of Rome to answer for charges of international corruption in Panama.

The case, which began in June 2014, has been delayed a number of times by lawyers for Lavitola.

Prosecutor Paolo Ielo alleges that Lavitola and Pozzessere tried to divert some $25 million in bribes intended for officials in the Martinelli  government

The money came from a defense contract granted to Finmeccanica.

According to the judicial calendar, witnesses include Ferdinando de Lolli, who represented the Italian government in Panama and officials from Selex, a subsidiary of Finmeccanica.

In addition to the Finmeccanica trial, Lavitola must travel to southern Italy Monday to face charges he committed perjury in a trial involving former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.