Ex-university rector awaits  embezzlement trial decision

The Fourteenth Criminal Judge Vilma Urieta will decide in the next 30 days whether or not to call the ex-rector of the University of Panama (UP) Gustavo García de Paredes, for an $8,5 million embezzlement case.

The investigation related to an alleged injury to the patrimony of the university after the rental of 21 hectares of land, near the Tocumen International Airport, to the Atlantic Pacific Consortium .

The announcement decision of the judge was made after concluding, on Wednesday March 20, preliminary hearing in which the ex-rector and another ex-official of the UP are charged.

In the process, the alleged commission of crimes against the public administration (embezzlement) and against the public faith is investigated for possible irregularities in the concession of the lands belonging to the UP that were leased to the Atlantic Pacific Consortium.

An audit by the  Comptroller General estimated the possible damage to the assets of the UP in the transaction for the rental of 21 hectares of land, near the Tocumen airport, to the Atlantic Pacific Consortium, led by businessman Herman Bern, at $8.5 million. .

The agreed rent was 18 cents per square meter, with a term of 40 years.