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PANAMA: LEGISLATOR WHO REVEALED ALLEGED BRIBERY SCANDAL IN ASSEMBLY IS EXPELLED FROM HIS PARTY.

Article Excerpt
Panamanian prosecutors investigating the bribery scandal first revealed by Legislative Assembly Deputy Carlos Afu have uncovered evidence linking the bribe money to the government contractor San Lorenzo consortium. Investigators have also found that Afu had suspicious telephone conversations with government officials and some of those he implicated in the scandal. The investigation has been impeded by the refusal so far of more than 30 deputies to give up their immunity from prosecution.

The scandal erupted in January when Afu, a legislator for the opposition Partido Revolucionario Democratico (PRD), said that the San Lorenzo consortium offered bribes to all members of the legislature to vote for its bid on a government contract to build the multipurpose Centro Multimodal, Industrial y de Servicios (CEMIS). Afu alleged that PRD Deputy Miguel Bush arranged for the bribes (see NotiCen, 2002-01-31).

Afu's allegations were under a cloud, however, because at the time he made them, the PRD's disciplinary tribunal (Tribunal de Honor) was in the process of expelling him and two other deputies from the party for voting to confirm Winston Spadafora...