By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Well, it's a damn shame. One of the guys who I knew from the Superbook VIP Sports Club in Panama City - Michael Casey "Big Mike" Lawhorn - was arrested on yesterday, Wednesday, 10 April 2013 and booked at 18:03 shortly after the indictment against 34 individuals in the Legends Sports Book investigation was released. (more)

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OKLAHOMA CITY—A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday accuses 34 people and 23 companies, many of them registered in Central America, of operating an illegal sports bookmaking business that solicited more than $1 billion in bets.

The 95-page indictment, handed up by a federal grand jury in Oklahoma City on March 20, accuses the defendants of operating from San Jose, Costa Rica, and Panama City to take bets almost exclusively from gamblers in the U.S.

The indictment says that since 2003 the operation known as Legendz Sports used the companies to operate as payment processors, launder gambling funds and make payouts to customers. It alleges a conspiracy and accuses the defendants of violating federal racketeering and money laundering statutes as well as operating an illegal gambling business.

The indictment also accuses the defendants of violating illegal gambling statutes in several states, including Oklahoma, California, Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, New York and Texas.

"Legendz Sports solicited millions of illegal bets totaling over $1 billion on sports and sporting events from gamblers in the United States," the indictment alleges. As part of the conspiracy, Legendz Sports operated Internet websites and telephone gambling services from facilities located in Panama, the indictment says.

U.S. Attorney Sanford Coats of Oklahoma City said the charges culminated a multiyear investigation by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service.

"The defendants cannot hide the allegedly illegal sports gambling operation behind corporate veils or state and international boundaries," Coats said.

The acting chief of the Justice Department's criminal division, Mythili Raman, said the government is determined to crack down on illegal online gambling by U.S. citizens, regardless of where the business operates or where the defendants live.

"These defendants allegedly participated in an illegal sports gambling business, lining their pockets with profits from over a billion dollars in illegal gambling proceeds," Raman said.

Among the individual defendants listed in the indictment is Bartice Alan King, 42, of Spring, Texas, who's accused of conspiring with others to operate gambling services that took wagers almost exclusively from U.S. gamblers.

The enterprise allegedly used bookies in the U.S. to illegally solicit and accept sports wagers as well as settle gambling debts. The 34 individual defendants were allegedly employees, members and associates of the Legendz Sports enterprise, the indictment says.

Bob Troester, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Oklahoma City, said King remained at large Wednesday but that 22 other defendants including King's former wife, Serena Monique King, had been taken into custody.

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for racketeering, up to 20 years for conspiring to commit money laundering, up to 10 years for money laundering and up to five years for operating an illegal gambling business.

In addition, the indictment seeks forfeiture of at least $1 billion in numerous assets including real estate, bank accounts, brokerage and investment accounts, certificates of deposit, IRAs, domain names, an aircraft, a gas lease and several vehicles.

Troester said the investigation is not related to illegal gambling charges against Teddy Mitchell, 58, who is awaiting trial on a federal indictment that accuses him of making millions of dollars by hosting illegal high-stakes poker games at his Oklahoma City home and by illegally taking bets on sporting events.

"This is a completely separate case," Troester said.

Editor's Comment: This investigation, which involved more than a billion dollars in illegal online sports betting, will be a huge headline in Panama once the local news media outlets realize what's going on. What follows below is a full list of the defendants, the original release by the Justice Department, and a link to the indictment itself. (more)

In less than 30 days the owners of bars, wineries, clubs, grills, cantinas and buildings under construction will be inspected by a new office being created by the Mayor of Panama - the Nocturnal Inspector.

According to Javier Ortega, President Muncipal Council, the idea of performing these inspections came after the constant complaints being registered by residents in Calle Uruguay and other sectors about trash and clutter, and the excess noise coming from these nightclubs.

Ortega also spoke about the delay in opening this office, because it was supposed to have been opened during the month of January 2013, but at least that problem has been resolved.

A representative of City Hall through a press release said the function of this office will be to oversee all of the commercial establishments who sell liquor in open or closed containers.

The statement also said the office would fine those establishments that present irregularities with noise, health issues, or other problems.

The office will also focus on construction sites and buildings that are under construction to make sure they are complying with all laws, the spokesman said.

The inspectors will work on a schedule from 6:00 pm until 3:00 am on weekdays, and from 8:00 pm until 4:00 am on weekends.

Fernando Wilson, owner of Wilson Karaoke said the night entertainment sector has been affected not only by the "Carrot Law" but also by regulations passed to limit noise.

Wilson said the owners of these places cannot take any more, which is why this new office should report more about these aspects than what they are going to inspect. (Siglo)

Editor's Comment: A full time office of "Nocturnal Inspection"? Why not? Before any time they wanted to conduct an inspection they would have to pull people who were working a normal Monday through Friday day shift, and press them into service for a "special" inspection during night and weekend hours. Good idea. Think these guys will be collecting much in bribes to look the other way? There were probably fistfights over the positions in this office...

The Ministry of Trade and Industry conducted inspections of 125 businesses that sell alcoholic beverages in the capital city, to ensure they are complying with requirements.

Law 2 of 5 February 2013 establishes fines for violating the law can reach as high as $50,000.

The Director of Commerce and Industry, Virgilio Sousa said on RPC Radio that some businesses insist on failing to comply with the law, and they open supposedly as a BBQ but they end up as bars and cantinas.

"We are calling on those businesses that have generated their notices of operation in an irregular or fraudulent manner, so they can manage their business premises as is stated in the law," said Sousa.

Sousa said they have seen a proliferation in these kinds of businesses such as bars and taverns, that have been done irregularly and in an illegal manner, that are creating constant squabbles and scandals that undermine morals.

Sousa said the Comptroller General of the Republic approved a final rule that will set new levels for performance bonds.

"This is not something new, it dates back to 2007 with what was created by law. What happened is that the Comptroller never issued the regulations to put the new law into effect, and now coinciding with the passage of the new Law 2 of 5 February 2013, which allows the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to apply this bond to those businesses who do not comply with the measures as established by law, and later they can restart their business."

Sousa also called on the Ministry of Health to accompany them on these operations. (Panama America)

Dance activities and the sale of alcoholic beverages will be suspended starting tomorrow, Friday, November 2, in the district of Panama because of the commemoration of the Day of the Dead. The measure was ordered by Decree 3214 of October 22, 2012 and applies to the bars, supermarkets, and discos in the 21 districts that form part of the capital district. According to a statement from the Mayor of Panama, the rule comes into force at 12:01 am on 2 November 2012, and will remain in force until 12:01 am, on Saturday, November 3. The order also prohibits the use of loud music boxes, jukeboxes, and dances entertained by orchestras, ensembles and other music media. The penalties for those who fail to comply with this decree range from one hundred to one thousand dollars. (Panama America)

Editor's Comment: Routine, normal, happens every year. So buy your booze ahead of time and get drunk quietly at home, because the bars will be closed.

Twenty-six (26) minors and seventeen (17) adults were arrested yesterday at 4:25 am by the municipal authorities and the National Police for holding an illegal party in an abandoned house located in the community of Varital, in the district of David, in Chiriqui. The clandestine party was discovered when police patrol passing the area on a 4-wheel ATV were attacked with bottles, being thrown by subjects who participated in the party. The authorities immediately coordinated a raid with the local Justice of the Peace Orlando Diez, resulting in the arrest of 43 people. Among those arrested were eight female minors who were also allegedly drinking. The 17 adults were transferred to the National Police headquarters in David, where they were charged with the "corruption of minors," while the teenagers were taken to the National Police headquarters, where their parents were charged with having violated Resolution 000-1-09 governing the curfew in David. It was learned the minors were turned over to their parents, for them to adopt control measures with the adolescents ranging from 15 to 17 years of age. The owner of the home was not in the place at the time of the raid. (Critica)

Editor's Comment: Mental note - throwing beer bottles at a passing police patrol at 4:30 in the morning is almost always a bad idea...

Today, Wednesday 11 July, the Mayor of Panama will deliver the first 14 stickers to owners of nightclubs located in the area of Calle Uruguay which have been qualified as "Safe Businesses." The activity will be chaired by the mayor of the capital, Roxana Mendez, and will be attended by residents of Calle Uruguay, the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Fire Department, as well as the Land Transit and Transportation Authority. The National Police, the Chamber of Commerce, APEDE, and the Bella Vista Community Board will also be there, as well as the owners of the bars and restaurants that will be receiving the sticker. (Panama America)

Editor's Comment: This is the end result of an effort to enhance safety and security in the area of Calle Uruguay where there is a concentration of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. A few months ago there was a rash of incidents (shootings) and everyone sort of came together to see what could be done to make the whole area a safer place. The end result is - a sticker. Yeah, that will work...

The creator of the concept of the "Chiva parrandera" in Panama, Jasmine Panay, said she has been out of this business for the past five years, and explained on the Telemetro morning news broadcast her original idea has been degraded to the point that last weekend a ground of minors were found drinking aboard one of these "mobile bars." Panay, who is also the owner of a recognized travel agency, explained this concept was brought to Panama from Cartagena, Colombia in 1994, where there is a very large tourism business, and given the success of this concept there, they wanted to try to duplicate the same idea here; to give tourists the opportunity to enjoy a different kind of city tour, with set schedules, tour guides, and traditional music. She also said from the moment she decided to try to bring this innovation to the country, she asked the Tourism Authorities who were in charge of issuing licenses at the time to regulate the activity because she saw the concept could proliferate, and she wanted to try to prevent cases like what occurred last weekend. (Panama America)

Editor's Comment: Over the weekend the police stopped one of these rolling bus parties and found it to be full of drunk minors. When they arrested them all and took them down to the police station, some of the parents who showed up gave the police a hard time for having arrested their drunk children. In Panama the legal drinking age is still eighteen years old, but it's common for minors to find ways to get around that limitation.

By Amy Laviero - A lot of companies claim to be family owned and operated, but Varela Hermanos, the producers of Ron Abuelo rum, is one that truly practices what they preach. "Abuelo is my baby," notes a proud Luis J. Varela Jr, at the Ron Abuelo rum tasting in Tribeca’s Brandy Library. Varela, the current CEO and the founder's grandson, notes that beginning with its birth in 1908 Varela Hermanos built a company with strong roots. The company is a leading producer of spirits in Panama and holds 90,000 barrels and counting. "Aged rum in the United States has a lot of potential," he begins. His goal is to make U.S. drinkers appreciate the complexities of aged rum, and is looking to Spain as the model. Twenty years ago, Spain's attitude towards rum was similar to what the U.S. exhibits now, using mostly clear rum to create fruity tropical drinks. Spain now has moved from carrying nearly 90 percent white rum to 90 percent aged rum, a turnover the company is hoping to initiate in the United States.

By using sugar cane instead of the molasses typically fermented to create rum, Ron Abuelo’s products have flavor profiles ranging from light and almond-y to richly smooth with a maple finish. They are great for drinking neat, creating typical rum-based drinks, or substituting spirits in classic drinks such as the Manhattan. The rum, aged in traditionally in American white oak barrels with a 200L capacity, not only increases output, but helps to alleviate barrels lost. Nearly 2 percent of the barrels used to create scotch in Scotland are lost each year; a small number when compared to 10 percent of the barrels lost on the Varela Hermanos plantation due to Panama’s heat and humidity.

Beyond providing a quality product, Varela says the company prides itself on giving back to the people. Supporting the Special Olympics in Panama and planting a tree for every person who passes the finish line is only one of the community driven tasks the company participates in annually. Varela Hermanos also has a tech center and an arts center geared towards fostering education and creativity in young children. The company was the first rum company to avoid burning sugar cane harvested for rum production (which makes cutting easier), and are one of the few companies that still hand harvest.

After a brief lesson on the company's history and the ins and outs of aged rum, we move on to the real reason we have gathered in Tribeca’s aptly named Brandy Library, rum tasting. Before we begin we are given a quick rundown of each product we will taste; Ron Abuelo Anejo, 7 Anos, 12 Anos, and Centuria. "Each one has a particular characteristic," we are told, "each is very different." It's easy to see why most of the advertising done by Varela Hermanos is through trying the product. I never imagined rum could exhibit such an array of flavor profiles and texture. The Ron Abuelo Anejo ($16/750mL) is a younger aged rum good for drinking on the rocks or in mixed drinks. It is drier compared to most aged rums, and is often used in a "tinted”, Panama's take on the rum and coke, using only soda water and a splash of cola.

The Ron Abuelo 7 Anos ($23/750mL) is where we begin to notice the surprising nuances aged rum can exhibit. It's sweet with dry fruit and a smooth, thicker consistency than its younger brother. My favorite, the 12 Anos ($33/750mL), has a nice concentration in aroma and flavor because it still holds the tannin which is typically extracted from white rum. It has notes of oak, vanilla, clove, and cinnamon. "Oh man, do you smell that?!" one woman asks her friend. "It smells like maple syrup."

Finally, we taste the crème de la crème, the Ron Abuelo Centuria, which is only produced in small quantities each year. Its buttery, toffee undertones come from age and the careful combination of vintages aged from seven to 30 years. At $130 a bottle, you are truly getting what you pay for; the product is so smooth you could easily enjoy it neat.

It's this product that has won Ron Abuelo a number of awards in the United States. These awards are used to promote internationally, and partly account for the drastic increase in sales in the last 10 years; a growth that is easy to understand after enjoying the products. (Fox News)

Of the approximately 800 independent prostitutes working in Panama City, according to statistics from Ministry of Health (MOH), only 30 have attended the program for attention to sex workers created by this entity. This program was implemented three weeks ago by the MOH, but barely 2.4% of the sex workers have come to be attended. Aurelio Nunez, director of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Program, said the focus project is new and "that's why very few have attended the clinic." Dulce Ana Torres, of the Network of Women with Dignity and Rights of Panama (MDDP), admitted only a few have gone to the health checks.

INTERNATIONAL DAY - The June 2 marks the International Sex Workers Day, or "ladies of the night" as they are known, so more than 1,500 independent prostitutes in Panama are preparing to celebrate the date with a meeting in which address issues of prevention, sexual health and the importance of the International Network of Sex Workers in Latin America and the Caribbean (Retrasex). "Through the MDDP network we achieved that, as of three weeks ago, for the MINSA to provide sexual health care to working girls on the street," said the representative of this group. In Panama there are a total of 1,800 independent prostitutes according to the Ministry of Health.

"DEMAND RESPECT" - Torres said they are not seeking to legalize prostitution, but rather to have their work respected. "We demand respect, and that the authorities do not discriminate against us because of the work that we do. We are human beings and we ask for the same rights as the rest of the population," she said. (Siglo)

Editor's Comment: When they say "independent prostitutes" in this article, they mean girls who are working on their own, who are not in Panama on an "alternadora" (entertainer) visa, who are not attached to an established night club, strip club, massage parlor, or brothel. Literally any woman in the world can fly to Panama, rent a room, get a cell phone, put an ad in the classifieds to give "massages" or whatever, and get to work. Most of them will get picked up on the street, with the meeting coordinated via cell phone, and then take the client to a push-button. There are no controls whatsoever on these girls, and this new initiative by the Ministry of Health is designed to allow them to get basic health checkups, controls, and information for free. And since it's a new program the girls are obviously a little skiddish, because they've been abused and taken advantage of by corrupt Immigration officials for years.