Judge orders investigation

PANAMA. The 10 Penal Circuit Court judge, Zaida Cárdenas, has ordered the Fourth Prosecution Office to widen the process of investigation against the Panama Olympic Committee former president, Meliton Sanchez for allegedly stealing money from that organization.

The trial scheduled for last Wednesday was suspended until the cases against the sports figures, Jose Felix Rodriguez and Fernando Samaniego, the vice-president of the Olympic Committee, who are also accused of theft are finished. The judge also requested to the International Olympic Committee to give the name of its representative in Panama.

The investigation started after the lawyer Miguel Vanegas, who has links with Roger Moscote, Miguel Sanchiz and Ricardo Turner made a denunciation.

Sánchez and Moscote, in turn are awaiting trial for the alleged theft of money belonging to the Sports National Institute INDE.

The Anti-corruption Prosecution Office started investigating Sanchez and Moscoso after they failed to produce receipts and documentation for food and travel expenses of the Panamanian athletes who participated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, $27,000 is unaccounted for.