Former Panama president’s son accused of corruption in US | Corruption Issues
Luis Enrique Martinelli has pleaded guilty to embezzlement in a plot involving Brazil’s Odebrecht.
Son of former Panama President Ricardo Martinelli agreed waste of money as part of a larger conspiracy against Brazilian corruption in Odebrecht, government officials in the United States said.
Luis Enrique Martinelli admitted that he had conspired with his brother Ricardo to set up maritime bank accounts “to receive and hide $ 28m in bribes,” the US Department of Justice said. words Thursday.
“To advance the cause, Luis Enrique Martinelli teamed up with others to make Odebrecht bribe money in and out of the United States, and he used some of his acquisitions to buy a yacht and a condom in the United States,” the statement said.
The 39-year-old admitted that some money had been spent on buying a yacht and condominium in the US, according to the department.
The verdict of Martinelli, who was shipped to the US a few weeks ago from Guatemala, scheduled for May 20 next year. Faced with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, the Justice Department said.
Her brother is still in prison in Guatemala, awaiting release. Both were arrested there in July while trying to travel to Panama with case in accordance with the policy.
Their father Ricardo MartinelliThe former president of Panama is also being investigated for Odebrecht, but has announced his intention to run for re-election in 2024.
Odebrecht’s investigation has angered many leaders and political parties in Latin America. Former company executives have admitted in court that they secretly paid millions of bribes in exchange for government contracts.
