Saturday 30 April 2011

http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2011/april/30/centralamerica11043001.htm

Panama - Panama's Supreme Court refused to grant immunity to ex-President Ernesto Perez Balladares, who faces money-laundering charges.

Organized Crime Prosecutor Marcelino Aguilar asked Judge Diego Fernandez to bring money-laundering charges against Balladares and 11 other people.

Prosecutors say the group conspired to create front companies to receive money from Lucky Games, a charity foundation with a license to run slot machine halls during the Balladares administration.

Judge Fernandez, of the 9th Precinct, has until mid-May to bring the defendants to trial.