Multi millions plea deal gets Mizrachi off hook

A collaboration agreement with the First Specialized Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime by  Henri Mizrachi Kohen led $9.2 million in shares of Editora Panamá América, SA (Epasa) being recovered, as part of the investigation of the New Business case, for alleged money laundering.

La Prensa has confirmed that, of that amount, 20% corresponds to the shares of Mizrachi.  It is not known who owns the remaining 10%.

The amount recovered, that has already been remitted to the National Treasury, is equivalent to 30% of Epasa’s total shares.

Mizrachi delivered the actions as part of a Crime, which was validated by Baloisa Marquínez, Third Judge of Criminal Proceedings.

Prosecutor Emeldo Márquez also requested to archive the case regarding Mizrachi, who until then appeared as one of the defendants in the file. The judge accepted the request and also suspended the precautionary measure preventing him from leaving the country, imposed on Mizrachi in 2018.

In this case, the prosecution requests a trial for 25 people and the dismissal of nine. So far, the names have not been provided. Former president Ricardo Martinelli is among those called to trial.