Prosecutors seek 12-year sentences for 'Panama Papers' accused
Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 2:09 AM by © AFP 2022
The prosecution sought 12-year prison sentences Wednesday for the founders of a now-defunct law firm at the center of the so-called "Panama Papers" tax evasion scandal.
Jurgen Mossack and Ramon Fonseca stand accused of money laundering in a trial that opened against them and more than two dozen others, mainly former employees, in a court in Panama City last week. The 2016 leaks revealed how many of the world's wealthy stashed assets in offshore companies, exposing high-profile personalities and triggering scores of investigations around the globe.
Mossack, 76, said at the start of the hearing he was not responsible for alleged crimes. Prosecutor Isis Soto Wednesday asked the court to impose the maximum sentence against the pair for money laundering, which in the Central American country is 12 years.
Mossack and Fonseca are also accused of "concealing, covering up and providing false information to banks for the opening of accounts and concealing ownership of assets," said the prosecutor. " Jurgen Mossack and Ramon Fonseca... received and transferred funds from illicit activities in Germany and Argentina," added Soto.
Read more: https://www.legit.ng/business-economy/economy/1588372-prosecutors-seek-12-year-sentences-panama-papers-accused/
