Key to Panama government bribery case makes deal

VALTER LAVÍTOLA the link man between Italy and Panama government multi-million dollar purchases, has agreed with Naples, Italy prosecutors to serve 11 months in prison for international corruption charges related to contracts with Panama.

The agreement was conditional on the admission of guilt by Lavitola.
The agreement was announced today in the sixth section of the association of judges of the Court of Naples, presided over by Judge Giovanna Cepalluni.
At the last hearing, on September 18, Deputy Prosecutor Vinzenzo Piscitelli charged Lavítola with the additional crime of aggravated international corruption. The prosecution argued that a hospital promised by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in 2010 was actually a way to hide bribes for former President Ricardo Martinelli, reports La Prensa.
Lavítola is accused of being the main intermediary between Italy and Panama.
Lavitola, after two-and-a-half years in prison, sought to make a deal in the case, though his statements have not yet been made public.