Panama suspends Supreme Court justice close to Martinelli over corruption charges
Panama suspends Supreme Court justice close to Martinelli over corruption charges
Juan Zamorano, The Associated Press
Published Monday, October 20, 2014 8:25PM EDT
PANAMA CITY -- A Supreme Court justice linked to former President Ricardo Martinelli was suspended on Monday over corruption charges in a landmark corruption case that has mesmerized much of Panama.
Alejandro Moncada has for weeks been battling accusations he profited from his ties to the former conservative leader after documents emerged showing he paid mostly in cash for two luxury apartments valued at over $1.7 million. Such properties are seemingly incompatible with Moncada's $120,000 a year salary and don't show up in a sworn affidavit delivered shortly before joining the bench in 2010 in which he declared a 4x4 truck and an expensive watch as his only assets.
As part of the ruling by lawmakers leading an impeachment probe, Moncada's assets were temporarily frozen. He was also ordered to turn over his passport and remain confined to his residence.
Moncada denies any wrongdoing and said he's the victim of a campaign by Martinelli's political foe and successor, President Juan Carlos Varela, to reshape the nine-member high court.
While political motives can't be ruled out in a country with a long tradition of bending the judiciary, Panamanians' suspicions were deepened after Moncada explained that he paid for the properties in part with a $700,000 interest-free loan from a businessman close to Martinelli.
More:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/panama-suspends-supreme-court-justice-close-to-martinelli-over-corruption-charges-1.2062962
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Former President Ricardo Martinelli [/center]
