corruption

Bridge inquiry to start

Attorney General Ana Matilde Gómez has launched an investigation into alleged bribes paid by a British company to Panamanian officials in 1997.

Gómez said the investigation was requested by Panameñista Party legislator José Blandón. She said that the initial inquiry will determine if the complaint has merit, if it involves public officials and if there was an offense committed.

The case surrounds a $30-million contract that the Panamanian government awarded to the British firm of Mabey and Johnson in 1997 to provide 15 steel bridges.

In a court case involving the company, a former employee testified that bribes were paid to public officials in Panama, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica so that the company would land lucrative contracts.

Specifically, the employee implicated Rogelio Dumanoir, a former ministro de Obras Públicas, who allegedly received a large kickback to ensure that the company received the contract.

The company allegedly made payments to a Bahamian bank account on behalf of a shell company controlled by Dumanoir.

Also implicated are Luis Blanco, who was the ministro de Obras Públicas when the contract was signed, and Tomás Altamirano Duque, who was a vice president at the time and the coordinator of the bridge contract.

If convicted, each could be sentenced to up to six years in prison on corruption charges.