PANAMA'S OUTGOING SUPERINTENDENT OF BANKING IS HIDING MAJOR US INQUIRY

If you have been reading this week about the ongoing American criminal investigation, into a well-known offshore financial provider that is allegedly assisting US citizens hide many millions from the taxman, there's a more disturbing aspect to the case, and one which has not been publicly disclosed. Panama's Superintendent of Banking, Alberto Diamond R., who leaves office at the end of December, has been keeping a dark secret.

Apparently, three months ago, American authorities made a number of information requests to Panama, all involving US taxpayers who were involved in hiding financial assets in Panama. The requests involved a number of banks located in Panama, and major law firms that are allegedly assisting them. Diamond, whose career as superintendent has been marred by charges of corruption, malfeasance in office, misfeasance, trading on inside information, bribe-taking, failure to investigate any money laundering offenses being committed by the banks, and other offenses to numerous to mention, must have thought that he could conceal the US inquiry until he was safely out of office, when he might shift the blame to his successor.

The disclosure demands that he be summarily removed from office forthwith, that he be prohibited from leaving the Republic of Panama, and that a criminal investigation be initiated.