Private company had access to all taxpayer records

A RAID on the offices of a private company hired by the previous administration to collect taxes owed by back-sliders in Panama, revealed that they had access to the accounts of all taxpayers not only those behind on their payments.

The information was revealed by General Revenue Department (DGI) Director Publius Cortes at a press conference on Thursday, April 23.
Cortes said that from October 2013,, the  Cobranzas del Istmo  company had access to the accounts of all taxpayers, “This was a total violation of the privacy of the citizens information system, which is a key in our legal system”, said Cortes, who directly blamed Luis Cucalón, who directed the entity between 2009 and October 2014, for the breach.
The company has also been accused of collecting some $21 million in commissions from the Tocumen airport authority for “doing nothing”
According to article 722 of the tax code, the agency “may not disclose in any way the amount or sources of income or benefits, or losses, expenses, or other data that appears on the statements provided by the taxpayer.”
According to the revelations made Thursday by Ministry of Economy and Finance officials, Cobranzas del Istmo not only had access to information from all taxpayers, but it also had in their office computer equipment belonging to the DGI.
Boris Quintero, legal advisor to the ministry, said that the information was uncovered during a search of the Cobranzas del Istmo offices April 1. During the raid, officials found computer equipment belonging to the DGI. Authorities are now trying to determine how the equipment got there.
On Thursday Cucalón at first denied the allegations but then referred questions  to his attorney.
Former Comptroller Alvin Weeden said Cucalón “abused his authority” by allowing the confidential information to be turned over to the company reports La Prensa
Cucalon is facing a series of charges in connection with his management of the department and the hiring of a private company to collect government debts. He has sought to involve former Finance Minister Alberto Vallarino who was in office during the CD-Panameñista coalition government in the decision.