Panama. On the morning of Tuesday, January 13, Edgar Góndola, former representative of the district of Cristóbal in the previous period for the PRD, and the former treasurer of the communal board of this populous sector of the Colón district, were apprehended for the crime of embezzlement. The apprehensions were carried out at the residences of both former officials, within the framework of Operation Community 2.6. The judicial proceedings were carried out by officials from the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office for the alleged commission of crimes against the Public Administration in different forms of embezzlement (embezzlement aggravated by extension). Agents of the National Police and the Directorate of Judicial Investigation in the province of Colón also participated in the operation. Both are being sought after an audit report prepared by the Comptroller General of the Republic. Based on this report, irregularities were found in funds transferred to the Cristóbal Communal Board, causing an economic impact to the State of $339,729.64. These funds came from the decentralization program and the Social Investment Program (PDIS).
