They arrest the former director of the General Directorate of Revenue of Panama for alleged unjustified enrichment and money laundering

Publio De Gracia was in charge of the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI) from 2019 to 2024. (Taken from the Internet) The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of the Attorney General's Office (PGN) arrested Publio De Gracia, former director of the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI), on Monday, August 10, as part of Operation Cuestor, on suspicion of alleged unjustified enrichment and money laundering. Authorities also apprehended the former official's partner during the proceedings, which are part of an investigation into possible patrimonial damage to the State amounting to $724,682.39. According to press reports, Operation Cuestor was carried out in several locations in the provinces of Panama and Panama Oeste, with the support of the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ) and the National Police Intelligence Directorate. The investigations began in May 2026, based on an audit report prepared by the Comptroller General of the Republic, which identified an unjustified patrimonial increase in the accounts of De Gracia and his close circle. The report specified that the investigation by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office focuses on Publio De Gracia's management of the DGI between 2019 and 2024, a period during which, according to the audit, there was a patrimonial increase that does not relate to the declared income of the official or his partner. Headquarters of the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI) in Panama City, an entity involved in alleged corruption scandals. The Comptroller General's report led to a formal complaint filed with the Attorney General's Office and a seizure order for assets of the same amount observed. During the operation, authorities ordered the apprehension of various assets allegedly linked to the investigated facts. Among the seized assets are three properties, six high-end vehicles—including Toyota Prado, Lexus, and BMW models—and four bank accounts. This action, it was indicated, is part of the Public Ministry's strategy to prevent asset concealment and ensure compensation for patrimonial damage to the State. According to information gathered by the state broadcaster SERTV, the complaint filed by the Comptroller General last May was based on a forensic audit that detected financial movements "incompatible" with the salary and public functions of the former DGI director. The report notes the existence of transfers, asset acquisitions, and bank deposits that could not be justified by the suspects. The arrest of the former official was carried out by the Attorney General's Office through its Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. TVN Noticias reported that, in addition to De Gracia's partner, other arrests are not ruled out under the same case, which remains under judicial reserve. The case has generated public reaction in Panama due to the amount involved and the profile of the investigated official. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office is maintaining several lines of investigation to determine whether there was a network of collaborators or front men involved in the money laundering operation. According to information provided by authorities to TVN Noticias, the judicial process will continue with statements and review of financial documentation, as well as tracing the suspicious funds. The Attorney General's Office announced that the process will continue in the instruction phase, with the aim of establishing the origin of the funds and any additional responsibilities. A taxpayer uses the DGI Panama's e-TAX 2.0 website, a system that was compromised by an alleged criminal network. (Illustrative Image Infobae) The case is part of institutional efforts to combat crimes against public administration and money laundering in Panama. Recently, the DGI was involved in a scandal over alleged corruption that led authorities to dismantle a supposed criminal organization composed of officials and individuals who allegedly manipulated the E-Tax system to obtain millions in economic benefits. According to the Prosecutor's Office, the group used privileged access to the E-Tax system to delete from the tax registry accounts of taxpayers who had already settled their tax obligations.