Ex-First Lady facing Christmas bags probe

COMPANIES  who sold the State $5 million of Christmas gift bags for the First Lady’s office,  were previously selected by senior members of the government of Ricardo Martinelli,  according to The former director of the National Assistance Program. (PAN).

The statements of  Rafael Guardia Jaen  were released through his lawyer, Victor Orobio.

“(During the trial) he will give explanations of how this project came his way and the procedure used to recruit companies that already had names and surname of who would be in charge of providing these bags,” said Orobio.

“Incompetence, negligence and carelessness of other ministries and institutions does not explain it. The budget was sent to Rafael Guardia  Jaen for him to bear the responsibility [of the contract],” he said

The investigation hearing has been set for  Thursday, February 11.

The First Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Tania Sterling is investigating alleged anomalies detected in the purchase of 110 000 Christmas bags bought by The Office of the First Lady through the PAN.

According to the summary the  contract was signed in 2013 by the then director of PAN Guardia Jaen –currently detained in the  El Renacer- prison. Christmas food bags were donated by the then first lady Marta Linares de Martinelli in all provinces and regions of the country.

The Electoral tribunal  has lifted her immunity from prosecution.