Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. (fka PTQMF)

[JustForFun7]

Martinelli appointee downplays scandal allegations

http://www.newsroompanama.com/panama/5100-martinelli-appointee-downplays-scandal-allegations.html

Attorney General José Ayú Prado has downplayed allegations by Mayte Pellegrini, the main suspect in the embezzlement of funds at Financial Pacific, that President Ricardo Martinelli was connected to the scandal.

Pellegrini said that irregularities in the management of the brokerage firm included the existence of a secret account named High Spirit, which was opened to manipulate shares of Petaquilla Minerals. She said that the account was linked to Martinelli.

Ayú Prado said Thursday, December 27, that he discussed the case with prosecutor Frank Torres, who told him that Pellegrini "had no evidence or clues" that could sustain her assertions.
"The prosecutor informed me, in a colloquial way, that Pellegrini had made statements that he could not verify," Ayú Prado said.
Ayú Prado said that everything was "a rumor she heard." He added that Pellegrini "worked on one floor and the rumor was generated three floors above" and that, therefore, she could not point to anybody in particular.
He also said that it was beyond the authority of the office to investigate the president.
Ayú Prado was appointed earlier this month to the Supreme Court by Martinelli.