Panama top court judge to be probed on corruption, abuse accusations
Thu May 7, 2015 6:26pm EDT
Panama top court judge to be probed on corruption, abuse accusations
PANAMA CITY | By Elida Moreno
May 7 Panama will investigate a Supreme Court judge on suspicion of selling judicial decisions and abuse of minors, a commission in the National Assembly decided on Thursday, in the country's latest high-profile scandal.
The Credentials Commission found that there were grounds for a case against judge Victor Benavides, who was accused by his ex-driver and bodyguard, Vicente Caballero, of engaging in sexual acts with children and receiving envelopes of cash in return for legal help.
"With eight votes in favour and one abstention, we have decided to admit the case against justice Benavides," said Luis Barria, president of the Credentials Commission.
Caballero is currently serving a 15 year sentence for kidnapping his former boss' mother.
Under Panamanian law, supreme court judges can only be investigated by members of the country's Congress.
More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/07/panama-corruption-judge-idUSL1N0XY41C20150507?rpc=401
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Judge Victor Benavides[/center]