CD presidential candidate Odebrecht funding probe
THE MAN ex-president Ricardo Martinelli chose to be his successor, returned on Monday June 12, to face the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor and answer more questions about alleged donation by Odebrecht to his campaign.
José Domingo Mimito Arias, the former Democratic Change (CD) presidential candidate, had Martinelli’s wife Marta as his running mate for the post of Vice-president. Arias was later excoriated by Martinelli for his failed campaign.
He arrived at 8:50 a.m. accompanied by his lawyer Armando Fuentes, who told reporters that he would continue cooperating in the case. “We are not going to make any statements that could alter the course of the investigation, but we are completely calm that we present answers in a transparent manner,” he said.
Arias said he did not receive funds from Odebrecht, the Brazilian construction company involved in a corruption scandal involving several countries, including Panama. Arias said that his claim has been supported by the Electoral Tribunal. So far he has not faced any precautionary detention measures, reports La Prensa.
The prosecution is also investigating Joao Santana and Mónica Moura, who worked for the CD presidential campaign.
Last May, Moura declared in Brazil where she is detained for her role in the Odebrecht affair that she negotiated with former President Ricardo Martinelli a $16 million Odebrecht contribution .
Martinelli remains holed up in Miami and failed to appear to face charges in multiple corruption cases. Including wiretapping of political opponents and others, for which, if convicted, he could be sentenced to over 20 years behind bars.
