COMPTROLLER GENERAL Federico Humbert said, Tuesday Mar, 7  that he will audit nine projects awarded to the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, the center of a corruption scandal across Latin America.

He made the  announcement after meeting with Attorney General Kenia Porcell.

Humbert said that five audits are already underway, including all three phases of the Cinta Costera.

Odebrecht has admitted to paying $59 million in bribes in Panama.

Swiss prosecutors have accused the children of former President Ricardo Martinelli of handling some of those funds, and have frozen bank accounts containing $22 million in that company.

Humbert emphasized that Porcell is carrying out the criminal investigation with independence and the necessary prudence.

"Any wrongdoing can derail a process," he said.