Waked files $165 million claim against government

ABDUL WAKED the embattled head of a family conglomerate who has watched his business empire disintegrate in the face of US allegations of money laundering and drug trafficking, has moved to arrest the bleeding by  filing a claim against  the government.

The claim  specifically with the National Bank of Panama (BNP) ­seeks $165 million for damages, loss and loss of profit "for the violation in the exercise of its functions and under the pretext of exercising them."

The claim for direct compensation was filed by .P. Vásquez & Asociados, on behalf of Waked. It was submitted June 5 to Judge Abel  Zamorano. The action has not yet been admitted reports La Prensa.

The BNP acted as a trustee in two trusts to which Waked voluntarily transferred two of his businesses when the allegations first erupted. The businesses were Felix B. Maduro department stores and Soho Mall.

The measure was adopted at the initiative of creditor banks after Waked and his businesses were included by the US Treasury Department on the Clinton List for activities linked to money laundering and drug trafficking.

The United States prohibits its citizens and companies from maintaining commercial and financial relations with the listed entities.

Felix B. Maduro was sold at the end of last year to a consortium made up of Grupo Arrocha, Grupo Diunsa and AF International Corp.

Soho Mall,  has been acquired by two Mexican companies, one of which is the Cinépolis group.

The proceeds from both transactions are used to pay labor benefits and debts with creditor banks and suppliers.

The remaining money is deposited in  a restricted account and will be turned over to Waked if he is excluded from the Clinton List in the future.

To date, US courts have rejected petitions filed by Waked to be removed from the list.

He also owns La Estrella and El Siglo which were granted an extension to continue publishing. hours before they were  preparing  final editions.