Recent rulings clear path for largest donation in country’s history
BOCA RATON, FL – In an international estate battle marred by greed, viciousness, and corruption, the now legally recognized executor has placed the fate of the “poor children of Panama” in the hands of the country’s most powerful institutions – the Church and the Panamanian government.
After four years of defending the Will of Wilson Lucom, South Florida-based attorney Richard Lehman, Lucom’s friend and attorney of 31 years, who was appointed as the Executor of Lucom’s Will by two Panamanian courts gave his irrevocable commitment that two Panamanian entities would receive any judicial award that is made to carry out the intentions of the Will of Wilson Lucom.
Once completed this would give $50 million to the Fundacion De Apoyo a Los Ninos Pobres de Panama, a Panamanian charity and the Panamanian Ministry of Social Development. The latter is the Panamanian government agency responsible for addressing malnutrition in the country.
“As the legally recognized executor of this estate, I am going to give all proceeds of the Lucom estate that will result from any judicial award in Panama to these two leading institutions,” said Lehman. “Based on recent rulings, it is apparent that I can now use my powers as executor to carry out the wishes of my late client and to best protect this Estate. This action protects the Estate for the kids.
Lehman’s position as the Executor was confirmed by several Panamanian Court rulings that recently held that Lehman has been illegally and unconstitutionally prevented from carrying out his duties as Lucom’s Executor for four years. Lehman’s path was also made easier by a Panamanian district court that awarded Lehman a $3.8 million judgment against the Panamanian law firm, Infante & Perez Almillano P.A. The ruling states that the firm abused the country’s legal system and that its strategies to restrain Lehman’s efforts as executor were illegal.
This case centers on Lucom, an American expatriate who died in Panama in 2006 and left a Panamanian will with an approximate $50 million gift to “feed the poor children of Panama”. The will appointed Lehman as executor. Lucom’s third wife, 87-year-old Hilda Arias, has sued to nullify the will in Panama and keep the entire fortune for herself.
Until now Lehman was prevented from fulfilling his legal role as executor by illegal and unconstitutional actions. This was accomplished through a mixture of illegal Panama probate court rulings and through a concerted effort to position Lehman as a criminal. The case has featured a series of Panamanian prosecutorial and judicial corruptions affecting Lehman. He was falsely charged with 15 crimes, including murder and gang conspiracy. Five false arrest warrants were issued against him and he was falsely arrested and imprisoned on two occasions when no crimes existed.
These actions, according to Lehman, were implemented as a way to intimidate and force him into resigning as executor and dropping the case. Another tactic involved having Lehman and his Panama lawyer wrongly placed on Interpol’s “Red Notice Alert – Dangerous Criminal” list.
Lehman continued to persevere despite that fact that he has not been able to go to Panama for two years for fear of being arrested and jailed. Every false charge against Lehman has since been dismissed by the Panama Courts.
Despite the efforts against him, Lehman has been able to prevent the will from being nullified for four years and helped organize a strong grass roots campaign that has led to demonstration marches by children through downtown Panama City. He also received strong support and endorsements from the most prominent charities and religious groups in the country. These activities were coordinated by Lehman from the United States with his legal team in Panama.
Through his efforts, the estate remains intact.
“As an American standing alone in Panama and fighting a corrupt legal system and one of the most powerful families in the country, I am now in a position as Executor to make this commitment to the rightful recipients – the starving children on Panamanian streets,” said Lehman.
“All of Panama knows what is happening in this case. The only way to truly guarantee that Lucom’s gift will reach Panama’s poor kids is for the Panamanian government and religious institutions to defend Lucom’s gift and insist on justice. The choice to do the right thing is Panama’s” said Lehman.
For further information, see www.lucompublicdocuments.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)