Supreme court judge under investigation, resigns

Supreme Court judge José Abel Almengor today, Thursday April 14, became the third high ranking judicial official to submit his resignation to the man who chose him, President Ricardo Martinelli.

The announcement came from the Ministry of Communication shortly before noon.

In a letter to the president, Almengor says his decision was motivated by “personal reasons”.
He added: "I have spent 15 years defending justice and fighting  against organized crime in my country, but for my  family name and for the sake of reconciling democracy in the country, my job is available”.
Almengor was under investigation by the National Assembly for allegedly participating in a cabal to oust his former boss, then Attorney General, Ana Matidle Gomez and was the subject of media speculation for  his  alleged involvement with residents wanted by the FBI. Within a couple of hours of the announcement,   the  Assembly’s Credentials Committee forwarded all outstanding complaints against  the judge to the current  Attorney General

Miguel Fanovich deputy chairman of the Committee, said that once the resignation becomes official Almengor will become an ordinary citizen and the National Assembly investigates and prosecutes only judges.