Embezzler loses plea-deal mansion

Panama’s  Second Superior Court has revoked the part of a penalty agreement that allowed the convicted ex-director of the extinct National Assistance Program (PAN),  to hang on to property and goods he acquired during his term at the corruption-ridden entity.

Rafael Guardia Jaén, still awaiting trial on other charges. signed the deal last December.

In a judgment supported by the Judges Wilfredo Sáenz (rapporteur), Eda Gutiérrez and María Lourdes Estrada, the Second Court revoked the reference to the request return of goods in the penalty agreement, issued by the fifteenth criminal judge Leslie Loaiza. The court confirmed the rest of the agreement, which carries a five years jail term.

The decision of the Second Court is based on “the judge of the case has not reasoned the sentence regarding the delivery of the movable or immovable property, with relationship to the analysis necessary to establish whether they are lawful or illegal, in accordance with the evidence, the applicable legislation, among other aspects, which will allow to determine which goods are licit” said a press release

The defense of Rafael Guardia Jaén requested the return of bank accounts, cars and goods and real estate, including, a $940 000 mansion in Costa del Este, two luxury apartments, a Porsche Cayenne and other luxury vehicles and $100,000 cash.

The agreement was agreed upon in the embezzlement case involving Guardia in the purchase of grain with money from the PAN.

The anti-corruption prosecutor, Adecio Mójica, had appealed the release of bank accounts and the return of real estate to Guardia Jaén, ordered by Judge Loaiza.

OnMay 23, Guardia will have to attend a hearing, for another case: the purchase of school backpacks with PAN money.