Ex-deputy embezzlement hearing again suspended

Former Panmenista deputy Adolfo Beby Valderrama arrived for a hearing on Friday, January 2  for the alleged misappropriation of funds the Panamanian Sports Institute (Pandeportes). 

But, a judge decided to again suspend the case until January 7 to clarify whether it maintains an electoral criminal jurisdiction. The original hearing was suspended on December 27.

Valderrama is linked to alleged irregularities in the handling of some $5 million managed during his term as a deputy that was supposedly used for the purchase of sports equipment.

Valderrama said that after 10 years of service as a deputy, accountability “has always been my style” and I will not change it. ” he said and added “He who does not owe it does not fear it,” he reiterated.

An investigation by r La Prensa revealed a series of anomalies in the handling of funds provided by Pandeportes as subsidies fo sports leagues.

In this case charges have already been laid against former Pandeportes directors, Roberto Bob Arango and Mario Pérez; the general manager of the National Baseball Federation Aníbal Reluz, the president of the Panamanian Basketball Federation (Fepaba), Jair Peralta, and the former deputy of the Democratic Revolutionary Party Jaime Petrol .

In addition, embezzlement and money laundering charges were filed against  César Tejada, a  former driver Valderrama, and Ulrich Ronner, secretary of Fepaba.

The prosecution has made inspections in several sports federations and Pandeportes.