Brief: Politics

two accused of using state resources illegally

Complaints have been filed against Panama City Mayor Juan Carlos Navarro and former Supreme Court Justice Graciela Dixon for allegedly using state resources for political purposes.

The complaint against Navarro was filed by the former Panama City Mayor Mayín Correa. He alleges that three employees who appear on the public payroll as advisers to the mayor are actually working on his presidential campaign.

The complaint states that Ricardo Laviery has been receiving a salary of $3,000 to be an adviser, but has “always been identified as a member of Navarro's campaign team.”

The complaint also identifies two other advisers, Iván González and Víctor Young, as also being campaign workers.

When contacted by La Prensa, Laviery denied the allegation.

Navarro's opponent for the Partido Revolucionario Democrático's presidential nomination, Balbina Herrera, has also been connected to allegations of campaign wrongdoing.

Attorney Florencio Barba Hart filed a complaint against Dixon stating that the former judge was campaigning for Herrera when she was supposed to be working at the Universidad de Panama. Dixon obtained a job with the university after leaving the Supreme Court.

The complaint alleges that Dixon appeared on a television program when she was supposed to be at work.

Dixon declined to comment on the allegation.