Panama has charged 22 defendants in connection to a massive $40 million tax credit fraud scheme at the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI), uncovered during Operation Pandora.
Overview of the Case.
- The Scheme: Corrupt internal officials and private actors manipulated the digital E-Tax 2.0 system to erase legitimate tax debts and generate fraudulent tax credits.
- Financial Damage: The state suffered an estimated $40 million in patrimonial losses, with tens of millions traced through financial institutions like BAC International Bank.
- The Defendants: The group of 22 charged individuals includes active public officials, former employees of the DGI, and private citizens or fixers who acted as intermediaries.
- Government Response: Following the raids and arrests across Panama, Panama Oeste, Colón, and Coclé, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) froze the processing of suspicious tax credits and dismissed implicated personnel.
Gabriel Martínez became the 22nd defendant for being part of a criminal network that operated within the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI) and manipulated the e-Tax 2.0 electronic system to appropriate tax credits. In a hearing held last Thursday, September 10 – one day after his arrest by police officers – Judge Clara Montenegro accepted the charges presented by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and ordered the provisional detention of Martínez, while he is investigated for the alleged commission of the crimes of money laundering, falsification of documents and corruption of officials.
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