| Panama Money
Launderer Luis Martinelli Skirted Lock
Down Now Detained in EDNY
By Matthew
Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC
- Guardian
UK - Honduras
- ESPN
EDNY COURT, Nov
16 – Luis
Enrique
Martinelli
Linares is
charged with
money
laundering
tens of
millions of
dollars in
bribes on
behalf of a
close relative
who was a
high-ranking
government
official in
Panama.
After
fighting
extradition
including by
skirting
Panama
lockdown, he
says he's
ready to plead
guilty but
does not want
to be
detained. But
he has been
detained.
On November 16, U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District
of New York
Magistrate
Judge Marcia
M. Henry held
a detention proceeding. Inner
City Press live tweeted it here:
Magistrate Henry:
We will decide today whether
you are remanded or released
on bond. You have the right to
remain silent. I understand
you have retained Mr. [James]
McGovern. You are charged with
money laundering and
concealment
Judge
Henry: How do you plead?
Martinelli:
Not guilty for today for the
purpose of this hearing. Judge
Henry: Your lawyer can speak
for you. Martinelli's lawyer:
His position is that he is
going to plead guilty. He's
pleading not guilty so we can
get through this
AUSA: The
consulate here in NY is aware
of the arrest. Judge Henry:
DOJ is moving for detention?
AUSA: Yes that's
correct. On risk of flight
grounds. Mr Harper will argue
it. Michael Harper of
DOJ’s Fraud Section: Luis'
lawyers fought extradition for
16 months.
DOJ's Harper:
Guatemala is a country that
permits you to waive
extradition at any point. But
he fought at every stage. He's
not here voluntarily. He was
removed here on an FBI plane,
in handcuffs. He's desperate
to return to Panama.
DOJ's Harper:
Here's how he ended up in
Guatemala. We were in plea
discussions with his prior
counsel when he left the
US. They went to the
Guatemalan border &
presented false diplomatic
credentials. He got the Panama
health minister to get him in
despite lockdown
DOJ's Harper: Our
evidence is strong. He has
significant political
connections in Panama, and
he's a citizen of Italy. We
ask for a permanent order of
detention.
Martinelli's lawyer
McGovern: My client is 39,
father of 2. He attended
Southern Methodist University
Martinelli's
lawyer McGovern: The MDC is a
troubled institution. Mr.
Harper as a DC person may not
understand the extent of the
problems there.
Judge Henry: How
did he return? Defense: There
are things that are
technically true and then
there's the truth
Martinelli's
lawyer: He and his brother
went to the government and
initiated the negotiations.
And he has agreed to plead
guilty. But what is he facing?
He's already done 16 months.
He's offering $650,000, and $3
million bond.
Judge Henry: I am
ordering Mr. Martinelli
detained. $ million is not
enough, compared to $28
million scheme.
Martinelli's
lawyer: We respect your
decision. Next proceeding,
before Judge Dearie in
December. Inner City Press
will stay on the case(s)
#CourtCaseCast
***
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