Read original story in Spanish from La Estrella
Lucom's inheritance is still in litigation. The poor children of Panama are waiting for a Court ruling that will benefit them with $50 Million.
Panama - A new foundation became public yesterday and its objective will be to administer the funds in favor of the poor children of Panama.
It is a Private Interest Foundation for the Support of the Poor Children of Panama, that arose from the $50.00 Million inheritance left by the decedent, Wilson C. Lucom, and which is presently in a legal battle at the Supreme Court of Justice.
The Foundation, which is leaded by Sister Lourdes Reiss from the San Jose de Malambo Orphanage, is formed by six charities: the Asociacion de Aldeas Infantiles S.O.S. de Panama, the Asociacion Nacional Pro Nutricion Infantil, the Asociacion Religiosos Mercedario, the Pro Ninos de Darien Foundation, the San Jose de Malambo Orphanage and the Patronato de la Ciudad del Nino.
Lucom, a U.S. diplomat and investor, passed away in June of 2006, he lived here and loved this country.
During the press conference held yesterday, in which assisted attorneys Octavio del Moral, Jose Acevedo; Sister Lourdes, Richard Lehman and the ex-comptroller Ruben Carles, they explained that Lucom's Will has been object of lawsuits in the courts and is presently at the Supreme Court of Justice.
Sister Lourdes further explained that “one of the objectives of the new foundation is to support any organization or person that submits a viable program in accordance with our benefactor. We trust in the Panamanian Justice.”
Carles' assistance was to give his testimony of his friendship with Lucom and to give faith of that he had disposed to leave $50.0 Million to the poor children of Panama in inheritance before his death.
“He always preferred the country to the city. We went together to many places in Cocle. He made his fortune through real estate investments in Florida. Given that he grew up being poor he considered his Will to be a good way of paying back for the good luck he had”, indicated Carles.
The U.S. attorney and former executor of Lucom's Will indicated that there are persons that do not want Lucom's will to be fulfilled. He also added that these three years of legal disputes have been a blessing and a spiritual experience. “It is not just the fact of giving the funds to the poor children of Panama, but to have justice served”.
Lehman claimed that he has been accused of everything by the Arias family; however he has been acquitted of every accusation, having only one pending. “With the creation of this new foundation, I can just step aside, so they can't use me as an argument”, expressed Lehman.
Meanwhile, Gilberto Arias, the son of Hilda Arias de Lucom, the widow, says he sees the formation of this new foundation very positively, “I hope for good omens for these charities that our family has supported for decades”.
Arias explained that Lehman has no response faculty towards Lucom's Estate, given that “he has been removed or resigned in all of the jurisdictions. The inheritance is not in debate, but who will be the executor”.
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