Former Panamanian Vice President Felipe Virzi detained amid corruption investigation
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Panamanian officials say former Vice President Felipe Virzi has been detained while prosecutors investigate him for alleged corruption in connection with a costly irrigation project that was never completed.
The 71-year-old Virzi was one of two vice presidents during the 1994-99 government of President Ernesto Perez Balladares and is seen as close to former President Ricardo Martinelli, who himself is being investigated for possible corruption during his 2009-14 government.
The case against Virzi is related to an alleged $10.2 million payment he received from an Ecuadorian company after it won a $37.4 million contract in 2012 to build an irrigation project in central Panama.
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Prosecutors allege that Virzi distributed some of the money to businessmen and political allies of the president. Virzi rejects the accusations against him.