Son of ex-president pleads guilty in US graft case

Luis Enrique Martinelli, the son of Panama’s former president, pleaded guilty to money laundering Thursday in New York as part of a massive corruption scheme involving Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht, US prosecutors said.

Martinelli admitted conspiring with his brother Ricardo of establishing offshore bank accounts “to receive and disguise over $28 million in bribe proceeds,” the Department of Justice said in a statement.

The 39-year-old son of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, acknowledged that some of the money was used to buy a yacht and a condominium in the United States, according to DOJ.

Sentencing for Martinelli, who was extradited to the United States just weeks ago from Guatemala, is scheduled for May 20, 2022.

His brother remains in custody in Guatemala, awaiting extradition. Both were arrested there in July while attempting to travel to Panama.

Their father Ricardo Martinelli, Panama’s ex-president, is himself under investigation in the Odebrecht scandal, but has announced his intention to seek re-election in 2024.

Investigations into Odebrecht have tarnished many leaders and political parties in Latin America. Former bosses of the company have admitted in court having illegally distributed millions of dollars of bribes in exchange for public contracts.

Agence France-Presse

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