Audit and criminal probe of sports funds linked to politicians

The Comptroller General will audit $14 millions of funds dispersed by the Panamanian Sports Institute (Pandeportes)  over the last four years and the public prosecutor has opened an investigation.

The Comptroller ‘s office said on Thursday, November 1 that it will also inspect the institutions, individuals, societies, and organizations that have managed public heritage funds.

The move follows an investigation by La Prensa revealing that Pandeportes allegedly contributed funds to federations, leagues, and sports organizations linked to or chaired by politicians and deputies, between 2014 and 2017.

In the closing months of President Varela’s term, the scandal has the whiff of similar insider deals during the  Martin Martinelli administration.

According to the reports delivered to the prosecutor and the comptroller, it is evident that companies linked to politicians that simulated competition to sell supplies to sports organizations were favored. However, the sports equipment was often not delivered.

the Office of the Comptroller General said  that the directors of Pandeportes were notified at the start of the audit and soon after  the  entity announced it too would carry out an audit

The comptroller, Federico Humbert said   that he assigned a team of auditors “that will review the management of funds of the entity and those resources transferred to the various sports federations.”

“The Comptroller has the authority to audit all funds managed in any state institution, however, the law also allows auditing those management entities, whether individuals, associations or societies that have managed monies of public property,” said Humbert.

The results of the audit will be sent to the Court of Auditors and the Public Ministry (MP).

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