Forensic probe of signatures in  alleged Assembly scams

The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office is waiting for calligraphic evidence from the  Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (Imelcf) examining  303 checks coming from spreadsheets of deputies of the National Assembly, which were allegedly changed irregularly in the National Bank of Panama (BNP).

Judicial sources reported that this diligence was requested because some beneficiaries of the checks have assured the prosecution that the signature is not theirs.

The Public Ministry is also waiting for other documents to be inspected where people who sign the endorsements of the checks indicated to the Ministry authorities that they did not recognize their signatures reports La Prensa.

At least 35 people have told the anti-corruption prosecution that they did not sign or receive the money.

Prosecutor Leysa Sáez, in charge of the investigation, is waiting for the evidence to request judicial responsibilities within the process before a Court of Guarantees. So far no one has been charged.

The investigation originated after a complaint lodged by Comptroller Federico Humbert on June 28, 2018, before the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the alleged irregular collection of checks from the Assembly spreadsheets by a BNP cashier.

According to the authorities’ inquiries, the BNP cashier exchanged at least 318 checks in the amount of $808,088 thousand 88, from alleged payments to National Assembly staff.