Former Martinelli minster facing embezzlement trial

Judge First Liquidator of Criminal Cases of the First Judicial Circuit of Panama, Águeda Rentería, opened a criminal case for alleged unjustified enrichment against the former Minister of Labor and Labor Development, Alma Cortés and two other people says a Public Ministry statement, released Friday.

The investigation into the case began after the Comptroller General’s Office, headed by Federico Humbert, delivered copies of an audit report related to Cortés’ estate in June 2016.

Cortés, according to the document, could not have justified $2.6 million between July 1, 2009, and May 31, 2015, when she was a minister.