Former Minister property seizure

FORMER MINISTER Guillermo Ferrufino, under investigation for alleged offenses against the public administration and possible unjust enrichment, has had some properties seized and will face the First Anticorruption Prosecutor to provide statements.

On RPC radio on Thursday, November 20 he took a similar tack to former Finance Pacific director Clare West, claiming a media”riot”
Ferrufino who has remained out of the public eye while stories have been polished about his collection of mansions , farms and land ownership said that following the advice of his lawyer he would collect all the evidence and release it soon. “I’ve been outside all this media scandals rioting ..things are not at all like that” he said.
Ferrufino said that “there are many rumors and a lot of things” that have been reported are not true but he has “every confidence” that he will clarify the charges against him.
“”In this week if I have the opportunity to make my defense statement I will … but I will be in the media giving interviews to explain a little more about what you are told . .. a bit of injustice. “
He said that he has been in the public arena for the past 20 years “helping people” but in recent weeks the picture has been “very, very battered” but “with God first, and walking in God’s hand will prove the whole truth. “
He also said that what has been aired in the media about his property: “there are things that are false and others that are true” but said he would not give details on the recommendation of his attorney.
Anticorruption Prosecutor Nahaniel Murga reported Thursday that he asked the Public Registry to seize in several farms of Ferrufino.
He explained that the farms are in his name and are located “in the Capital area.” They also blocked “yesterday and today,” some societies under his name “as a security measure.”
He added that “we have taken some properties on behalf of others” and that at the moment are in the research stage. “When we consider that we have the necessary evidence will take appropriate action,” he said.
The prosecutor said the former minister said he is coordinating with his lawyer and collecting “evidence” and will then declare “in the coming days.”

Murga statements came after presenting with William Parodi, anticorruption fiscal quarter; Lizzett Chevalier, second anticorruption prosecutor; Lorraine Coronel and third anticorruption prosecutor a complaint with the Comptroller General’s Office to investigate the possible commission of offense of unjust enrichment by Ferrufino.
Parodi explained that following reports published in the media they gathered information which was “legalized” so that they could ask the Comptroller to audit before a charge of embezzlement.

He added that it now depends on what the Comptroller issues following audits.
Research published Thursday in La Prensa reveals that Ferrufino came into the government of Ricardo Martinelli in July 2009 with few assets.

But he left office in July 2014 with properties in Albrook, Boquete, El Valle de Anton and beach home in Coronado, among other properties and scores of hectares of farmland in Chorrera.