Two days after releasing the largest searchable database of secret information on offshore entities—more than 200,000 companies—the co-manager of the Panama Papers will discuss the reasons, methods and impact of the international investigation during a public forum at George Mason University.
The panel discussion detailing the investigations into hundreds of thousands of secret offshore companies and tax havens will take the stage at George Mason’s Founders Hall Auditorium on the Arlington Campus from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11.
Marina Walker Guevara, deputy director of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and co-manager of the project, will be joined in a panel discussion by Juan Ricardo Ortega, the former head of Colombia’s tax and customs agency who fled his homeland after death threats following his corruption investigation.
Louise Shelley, director of Mason’s Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center, will moderate “The Panama Papers: Tax Havens—Who, Why and Impacts” program.
The first release of documents this spring, in addition to the May 9 download, is one of the largest datasets of leaked insider information in the history of journalism. Investigations into the data have revealed secret offshore dealings of world leaders, celebrities, criminals, banks and major businesses that used a Panama-based law firm to create offshore, often anonymous companies in more than 20 countries with lenient laws around declaring company ownership, to avoid paying taxes. Iceland’s prime minister resigned after the revelations. Terrorism, drug trafficking and other crimes have been uncovered as well.
“The Panama Papers is one of the biggest leaks and the largest collaborative investigation in journalism history,” said Shelley, a 2015 Carnegie Fellowship winner for her crime and corruption research. “This international effort of 370 reporters in 76 countries to unmask the networks of criminals, officials and terrorists who were able to hide their great wealth from public scrutiny is one of the most important stories of our time.”
The forum is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Reservations may be made at this site.