OFF THE CUFF: Panama asks US aid in bribery link

AS MORE potential investigations open up into alleged criminal activities of Panama’s ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, lawyers here and in the United States can look forward to another profitable year.

The Public Ministry has requested help from US in investigating allegations of bribes paid to Panamanian officials by employees of the German firm SAP.

Panama officials have sent questions to US prosecutors requesting information about the testimony of SAP employee Vicente García, who was recently  sentenced to 22 months in prison for paying bribes in Panama .. In his statement to the court, Garcia mentioned former Martinelli and other senior figures  linked to his administration.

According to the statement, Garcia claimed to have given money to Aaron Mizrachi, brother-in-law of Martinelli, who served as a liaison with the then-President. The judge in the case, Charles Breyer, called Martinelli a “conspirator” in the case.

Meanwhile, Rogelio Cruz, a lawyer for Martinelli, said that this case was closed in the United States with the sentencing of Garcia, and suggested that the investigations have political overtones.

However, the MP said that a case could be opened in Panama, reports La Prensa