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Reports from the global investigation into the billions of dollars, paid by the Brazilian construction & petrochemical conglomerate, Odebrecht, to corrupt peps worldwide, to obtain lucrative government contracts, are focusing upon the massive bribes paid in the Republic of Panama. Panama continues to reel from the fallout from the Panama Papers scandal, but insiders in Panama City warn that the net effect of the Odebrecht disclosures will be far more damaging.
The allegations are that $59m was paid, in bribes, to Panamanian officials, and other influential individuals associated with the government, to secure contracts. Over one hundred people are said to have received the illicit payments. These recipients are not only from the corrupt former Martinelli government, some are alleged to be members of the current administration, thought the names have not as yet been made public.
The most damning accusation: at least $6m of the bribe money was paid, between 2010 and 2014, to the adult children of the fugitive ex-President, Ricardo Martinelli. The former president is now the subject of a pending extradition request, made to the United States, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama.
Contributed by Kenneth Rijock
Chronicles of Monte Friesner
