Top Panama judge Moncada pleads guilty to corruption
24 February 2015 Last updated at 05:44 ET
Top Panama judge Moncada pleads guilty to corruption
The former president of Panama's supreme court, Alejandro Moncada, has pleaded guilty to charges of illicit enrichment.
Moncada was suspended from his post in October when he came under investigation by Panama's Congress.
He also pleaded guilty to falsifying documents and was sentenced to five years in detention.
Moncada was appointed by former President Ricardo Martinelli, who himself faces a corruption probe.
As part of the deal struck with prosecutors, Moncada will hand back two apartments worth a total of $1.7m (£1.1m) he had bought since coming to office.
Crackdown on corruption
Shortly after taking up his position in 2010, Moncada had declared only a gold watch and a 2005 Toyota van. He also said at the time that he had no other income apart from his judge's salary.
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Former Panama Supreme Court chief pleads guilty to corruption
Tuesday 24 February 2015 at 2:08 PM ET
(JURIST) Former president of the Supreme Court of Panama (official website, in Spanish), Alejandro Moncada, pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of falsifying documents and illicit enrichment. Panama officials suspended (JURIST report) Moncada in October over corruption charges and accusations that he profited from his ties with former president Ricardo Martinelli. Moncada denied any wrongdoing and also claimed to be a victim of Martinelli's political foe and successor Juan Carlos Varela. According to Moncada's defense lawyers, he struck a deal and pleaded guilty because of his declining health. Moncada was sentenced to serve a five-year jail term. It is still unclear whether this time will be served in prison or under house arrest.
Moncada's suspension marked the first time in 24 years that a high court judge was removed from the bench. Documents emerged that Moncada had paid mostly cash for two luxury apartments worth over USD $1.7 million, properties that seem incompatible with his judicial salary. Lawmakers leading an impeachment probe ruled that Moncada's assets be temporarily frozen [La Prensa report, in Spanish] and his passport be turned in as he remain confined to his residence.
http://jurist.org/paperchase/2015/02/former-panama-supreme-court-chief-pleads-guilty-to-corruption.php
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