“New Business” Scandal Involving Editora Panamá América (Epasa) — The Media Mouthpiece for Martinelli — Also Raises Issues About Freedom of the Press

The Procadura General or Attorney-General here has to walk a fine line to protect freedom of the press which was apparently purchased with money stolen from the public and is being used as a weapon to criticize the government at every opportunity.

This op-ed piece concerning the Epasa group purchase was published in LaPrensa and republished in Newsroom.

Hoyporhoy  La Prensa June 27

THE TAXES  that Panamanians paid with so much effort were given to a company as an advance for the expansion of a major highway.

The money was diverted to make a business transaction, which is a crime. Its origin was concealed using foreign banks and  Caribbean companies, to place it in a basket together with funds from other companies and individuals to buy a publishing group . The  Public Ministry has made visible the sinister network that stole public funds, and laundered them. These are not  simple crimes, but criminal acts of the worst kind. The theft of  public works for the business whims of an inner circle. The prosecutors have  an extremely sensitive case on their hands  because there are three newspapers critical of the current government that must be protected. This is not persecution of freedom of expression, but it should be clear that the public treasury must be defended, as must freedom of the press. Panama is confident that the public prosecutors will fulfill their duties.