Panama gets $10 million hush money helicopter

A $10 MILLION  helicopter ambulance that  was part of a deal to help dampen  concerns over a Ricardo  Martinelli era purchase involving allegations of a $25 million kickback to those in power, has arrived in Panama.

the Italian contractor Finmeccanica agreed to provide the helicopter for free to settle issues with a $250 million defense contract dating from the Martinelli  administration.

The aircraft was presented in July at a ceremony held at the  Agusta Westland aerospace factory, in the northern Italian city of Vergiate.

The donation of the aircraft was done to resolve issues in the defense contract that included allegations of bribes that added 10 percent to the cost.

The helicopter, the first of its kind in Panama, will be used in rescue and humanitarian aid missions.