$13 million embezzled spy equipment hearing gets sixth suspension

A court hearing into a $13 million embezzlement case involving disappeared spying equipment used during the Ricardo Martinelli administration was suspended for the sixth time on Thursday, June 7 by the Eighth Circuit Court.

The alternate preliminary hearing, is  in the process against the former director of the National Assistance Program (PAN), Giacomo Tamburrelli; the ex-director of the National Police, Gustavo Pérez, and three others, for the crime against the public administration, in the form of embezzlement, related to the loss of the spying equipment used by the National Security Council in the past administration .

The decision of Judge Leira Terán came after Rosaria Correa, lawyer presented a certificate of medical disability for her client  Gustavo Pérez. A new alternate date was set for Monday, August 13.

According to the Public Ministry, the investigation arises from the loss of a technological equipment that was acquired in 2010, through an order counter signed between the former director of the National Aid Program (PAN), and an Israeli company, for over  $13 million.  Also involved are also are the former executive secretary of the National Security Council, Alejandro Garúz, and the ex-agents Ronny Rodríguez and William Pittí.

The investigation was initiated on December 3, 2014, prosecution hearing for this case was set on October 19, 2016, with a request for a trial for 2 persons charged with the offense against the public administration. and provisional dismissal for 3 people, all former public servants.