Panama City: The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office arrested a former representative and two former treasurers of the El Coco Community Board, in La Chorrera, for their alleged involvement in the crime of embezzlement, in a case investigating an economic loss to the State of approximately $181,661.51. The raids were carried out in the provinces of Panama West and Chiriquí by the Attorney General’s Office, with support from the National Directorate of Police Intelligence (DNIP). During the operations, which were previously authorized by a judge, evidence related to the investigations was also found.
According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, one of the investigations originated from alleged irregularities in the handling of resources from the Public Works and Municipal Services Investment Program (PIOPSM) corresponding to the period between July 2019 and June 2024. This case investigates a possible financial loss of $52,838.01. According to an audit report by the Comptroller General of the Republic, no documentation was found to support the use of 147 checks issued by the El Coco Community Board. The Prosecutor’s Office is also conducting a second investigation related to a complaint filed by the General Directorate of the National Decentralization Authority, linked to the Social Interest Development Program (PDIS).
