The First Liquidating Court of Criminal Cases of the First Judicial Circuit of Panama issued mixed ruling No. 1 on February 6, 2025, convicting eleven citizens for crimes related to money laundering to the detriment of the National Aid Program (PAN). Two of the accused were found criminally responsible and sentenced to 160 months in prison as perpetrators of the crime against economic order and collective security, specifically illicit association for committing crimes.
Another three people were sentenced to 100 months in prison for similar offenses, while six citizens received 80 months in prison for money laundering. All of them were also disqualified from holding public office for a period equal to the main penalty.
The First Liquidating Judge lifted the precautionary measures of the sentenced individuals so that they could serve the imposed sentences. In addition, she acquitted three people of the charges and dismissed the nullity incidents presented by three defenders.
The investigation that led to these sentences began on November 13, 2014, and revealed the existence of an organized structure to create commercial companies that facilitated the laundering of illicit funds through financial transactions. In the ruling, the court also indicated that the preceding crime was embezzlement to the detriment of the PAN. The sentence confirms the existence of criminal activities aimed at concealing the origin of illicit money through complex financial maneuvers.
