By AFP More by this AuthorPanama's last two presidents, Ricardo Martinelli and Juan Carlos Varela, were charged Thursday with money laundering, as two separate scandals tarnished the political legacy of the former allies turned enemies. Martinelli was charged with money laundering over the so-called "New Business" case in which a publishing group was allegedly purchased with government funds during his 2009-14 term. Martinelli, 68, was in a combative mood as he departed the public prosecutor's office in Panama City. Varela meanwhile "was charged with money laundering in the Odebrecht case," the public prosecutor's office told AFP. AdvertisementThe 56-year-old former president is being investigated for allegedly accepting illegal donations to his political campaigns from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

Source: Daily Nation July 03, 2020 04:30 UTC