The Eighth Criminal Court denied an appeal to The former director of the Panama Transport Authority (ATTT) Ventura Vega Osorio, who heads a list of over 500  allegedly involved in a $94.8 corruption scam over compensation for “retired” diablos rojos,(red devils) the predecessors of the current Metro bus system.

Vega wanted to invalidate an investigation order of October 2018, prepared by the Anti-Corruption Discharge Prosecutor, in which the charges are imputed and ordered to investigate it.

So far 204 people have gone to the investigation of 528 imputed in the fraudulent receipt of $94.8 million compensation.  paid between 2010 and 2014.

Judge Leira Terán, in her ruling, sustained that part of the functions of Ventura Vega director general of the ATTT was to direct, supervise and oversee the operation and control of all land transportation services in accordance with the law and the regulations. That is to say, said the judge, "to the correct development of a process of compensation to the concessionaires".

She added that the file determines that there are voluntary agreements between the parties that allegedly should not be compensated. In addition, those officials of command and jurisdiction called to verify "in detail the documents and certificates of operations to avoid damage to property", did not comply with the appropriate procedures.

Because of the alleged anomalies in the compensation for buses, the prosecution charged 528 people.

Among the accused are the former directors of the ATTT Jorge Ricardo Fábrega, Ventura Vega and Roberto Moreno, and the ex-director of the entity Arturo Araúz.