Panama gripped by millionaire ex-president's graft scandal
Panama gripped by millionaire ex-president's graft scandal
By Juan José Rodríguez (AFP) 7 hours ago.
When he ran for office, Panama's former president Ricardo Martinelli promised graft-weary voters he would never steal a cent: Why would he need to, since he was already a millionaire?, he asked.
Six years later, he is at the eye of a swirling scandal that has taken down several close allies, including two former ministers jailed for stealing public money.
The mounting accusations of massive corruption during his presidency (2009-2014) are now closing in on Martinelli, a white-haired supermarket magnate who is already under investigation for skimming money off the top of a school lunch contract.
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Prosecution documents seen by AFP say that money was used to buy luxury cars, apartments and a yacht.
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