Panama — The former regional director of the Institute for Training and Human Resources Utilization (Ifarhu) of Panama East and a merchant were apprehended for allegedly cashing checks from the entity's various programs. According to the Public Ministry, both men were arrested this Thursday in Nuevo Tocumen and Brisas del Norte for the alleged commission of a crime against public administration in the form of embezzlement, which caused an economic loss of $145,265.80. During the proceedings developed by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and units of the Judicial Investigation Directorate, documents and technological equipment related to the investigation were also located. It was also detailed that this investigation began in June 2022, following a complaint from Ifarhu, and subsequently, an audit report from the Comptroller General of the Republic, dated December 2025, revealed the aforementioned loss. The Public Prosecutor's Office indicated that it "is investigating the embezzlement and appropriation of 414 checks and 84 social security cards, corresponding to the scholarship programs and the Universal Educational Social Assistance Program (PASE-U) of IFARHU, Panama East Regional Agency. The checks were endorsed to the name of Asian business owners to cash the deposit." Both detainees were transferred for the corresponding procedures and were left at the disposal of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.
