judicial

Murcia faces more charges

Investigators have found more information about a pyramid scheme.

la prensa

defrauded: DMG, located in Edison Plaza, processed millions of dollars in transactions, prosecutors have learned.1146488

The Public Ministry has found records that indicate that Colombian businessman David Murcia Guzmán used a Panamanian company to process transactions valued at more than $17 million.

Sources at the Attorney General's Office reported that investigators discovered the transactions, which were handled through Murcia's business in Edison Plaza, after analyzing various computers that were confiscated from the Colombian.

Based on this evidence, Murcia could face a number of charges in Panama, including fraud and other crimes related to financial improprieties.

Also facing charges are Murcia's wife, Johana Iveth León, and his associate, Hugo Luis Pinto. Both were apparently involved in DMG, the business that Murcia operated.

León and Pinto are currently fugitives from justice. They are also being sought by Colombian authorities to be tried together with Murcia.

Murcia, who is currently in custody in Colombia on charges of money laundering and drug trafficking, also faces prosecution of those charges in this country.

Murcia was arrested in Panama on Dec. 16, 2008, and was deported to Colombia the next day.

He allegedly ran a giant pyramid scheme, in which he promised investors free merchandise and high interest rates if they deposited money with his business, which operated in several countries including Panama and Colombia.

But authorities said that he used the business to launder money for drug traffickers.

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