Ex Panama VP questioned in bank scandal

EX  VICE-PRESIDENT  “Pipo” Felipe Virzi, already named in  numerous other corruption  investigation went to the office of First Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Tania Sterling on Friday, October 28  to answer questions related to the Caja de Ahorro bank scandal.

Center of the investigation is   a loan made to the contractor responsible for the Amador convention center which was  never finished.

Virzi, who appeared voluntarily  expressed his “willingness” to clarify any questions relating to his involvement in the loan.

Virzi is linked to the contractor, HPC-Contratos- P & V. Rodrigo Arosemena, the former deputy manager of the bank, said Virzi was the “mastermind” within the consortium, and that the loan was made due to his personal wealth estimated at $60 million.

Virzi has limited immunity due to his status as a candidate for a position within the PRD party. Despite that immunity, which he has used to avoid court appearances in another investigation, Virzi agreed to be questioned.

“I am at the disposal of prosecutors voluntarily to provide any explanation that is required,” he said.

He added that he is 73 and has six children and 20 grandchildren, so he has no intention of leaving the country.

The loan has been questioned because funds ended up in the accounts of shell companies with no links to the project

Some of those accounts were in Banco Universal, of which Virzi was the majority shareholder.