Paitilla land grab trio heading for trial

Panama’s Anti Corruption Prosecutor is seeking trial for Anabelle Villamonte  former director of the Land Qualifications Authority (Anati) .

Joining her in the dock over allegations of  free transfer of a parcel of state land in Paitilla  in 2010, will be  florist Cesar Segura and  lawyer Francisco Perez Ferreira lawyer

Public Ministry sources reported that the prosecutor Lizeth  Chevalier is charging Villamonte with embezzlement.

Segura  and Ferreira will face  charges of embezzlement and negligent falsification of public documents.

The three defendants have interim measures of “country jail”,  meaning they are free to move about within Panama.

 Segura and Perez Ferreira returned the land filled 1.3 hectare valued at $40 million to the State on Dec. 20, as contained in document notarized before a Notary Tenth Circuit.

This investigation was initiated by a complaint filed on August 12, 2011 by the current governor of Panama, Mayín Correa. 

Villamonte, also faces another prosecution. Asa lawyer who acted for several companies involved in an  illegal land grab in Juan Hombrón, Cocle before she was appointed to Anati. Her former boss at Anati has been given a government appointment overseas.