Profile in Focus | The Panama Papers Part 11 (July 2019 - December 2019)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | The Panama Papers Part 11 (July 2019 - December 2019)
“Laurentino Cortizo Taking Possession” by Enmanuel Benavides under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In the second half of 2019, the impact of the Panama Papers scandal continued to reverberate, leading to political promises, legal actions, and the release of a star-studded movie based on the events.
In July, Panama's new president took office and made a pledge to end corruption in the country. This marked a significant step towards addressing the issues exposed by the Panama Papers and signaled a commitment to reform.
The total amount of money recovered as a result of the Panama Papers was reported to be $1.24 billion. This substantial figure highlighted the scale of illicit financial activities and the importance of international efforts to combat tax evasion and money laundering.
In August, HSBC was fined $336 million to repay Belgium after a massive tax fraud case. The penalty underscored the consequences faced by financial institutions implicated in facilitating illegal activities, and it highlighted the continued fallout from the Panama Papers.
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published a comprehensive FAQ document in August, providing readers with essential information about the 2016 investigation and the significance of the leaked documents. This resource aimed to clarify the complex details of the scandal and its implications.
In September, acclaimed filmmaker Steven Soderbergh released "The Laundromat," a dark comedy film based on the Panama Papers. The movie starred Meryl Streep, who expressed the importance of the leak in shedding light on corruption and the risks faced by those who exposed it.
The release of the film sparked discussions about the Panama Papers once again, with critics offering their opinions on its portrayal of the scandal. Reviews described it as a playful and entertaining way to learn about the events surrounding the leak.
The law firm at the center of the Panama Papers, Mossack Fonseca, filed a lawsuit against Netflix over "The Laundromat." The firm claimed that the movie was defamatory and misrepresented the events. Despite the legal dispute, Netflix released the film in October, bringing the Panama Papers to a wider audience.
In November, pre-trial proceedings related to the Panama Papers continued, highlighting the ongoing legal battles faced by individuals implicated in the scandal. The complex nature of the case raised questions about the fate of those involved and their accountability for the crimes exposed.
There were also notable developments in other countries. In the UK, a businessman with Panama Papers links donated £3 million to the Brexit Party, raising concerns about the influence of offshore money in political affairs.
In Malta, pressure mounted over the killing of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who had investigated corruption exposed by the Panama Papers. A businessman was charged with complicity in her murder, underscoring the risks faced by those who expose wrongdoing.
In Pakistan, a tycoon handed over $248 million to settle a corruption probe in the UK. The case highlighted the global reach of the Panama Papers and the subsequent investigations into the illicit financial activities revealed by the leak.
As the year drew to a close, Deutsche Bank faced a fine in relation to the Panama Papers. The penalty indicated that the repercussions of the scandal continued to unfold, with financial institutions being held accountable for their involvement.
Overall, the events from July to December 2019 demonstrated that the Panama Papers had left a lasting impact on the world, leading to political promises, legal actions, and continued efforts to combat corruption and tax evasion.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 13, 2023
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Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for Profile in Focus | The Panama Papers Part 11 (July 2019 - December 2019):
Panama's new president takes office, pledges end to corruption - Reuters July 1, 2019
Panama's new president takes office, pledges end to corruption - euronews. July 2, 2019
HSBC fined $336m to repay Belgium after huge tax fraud - Al Jazeera August 6, 2019
Panama Papers revisited in Soderbergh's star-studded 'The Laundromat' - Reuters September 1, 2019
Did the Heir to the Red Bull Empire Get Away with Murder? - The Walrus September 4, 2019
Villains Hog the Spotlight in “The Laundromat” - The New Yorker September 20, 2019
‘The Laundromat’ Review: Power, Corruption and A-List Celebrities - Rolling Stone September 26, 2019
Steven Soderbergh On 'The Laundromat' - NPR September 28, 2019
Panama Papers is a new chapter in American educational cinema - WIRED October 15, 2019
'Panama Papers' law firm sues Netflix over film based on scandal - Reuters October 16, 2019
Netflix releases Panama Papers movie despite lawsuit - AP News October 18, 2019
'The Laundromat' on Netflix: What are the Panama Papers? - Newsweek October 18, 2019
Businessman with Panama Papers links gives £3 million to Brexit Party - The Times November 26, 2019
Pakistan tycoon hands over $248m to settle UK corruption probe - Al Jazeera December 4, 2019
Panama Papers: Fine for Deutsche Bank - DW December 6, 2019