The confirmation of an open investigation involving two U.S. businessmen, David Patey and Michael Lawrence Brannon Hutson also known as “Scott Brannon” was confirmed last week by the District Attorney Emilia Navas in an interview with Channel 7 Telenoticias.

According to Navas, the investigation against both expats, who reside in Costa Rica since 2003 and 2004 respectively, was opened in 2015 as suspects of drug trafficking and money laundering.

Patey, who is a known public figure in Costa Rica, as the president of one of the biggest soccer teams in the country, the Heredia team (Club Sport Herediano); and owner of Ponderosa Adventure Park, among other businesses, held a press conference on Monday where he made important statements and also expressed his distress and disappointment for the way things have been handled by the Costa Rican authorities and how it has affected his family and businesses.

The Following are some of Patey’s statements (the press conference was in Spanish):

“The investigation file that Emilia Navas referred to in her interview in Channel 7 is the same file that they (police agents) tried to sell to me and for which they arrested two OIJ agents and a psychologist back in February 20.” (Click here for this story)

“I have to say that Emilia Navas was irresponsible in offering information on my file” (when back in February 20 she had stated she could not refer to the file in question to Extra newspaper) … “You can’t imagine how hard this has been (…) At the stadium yesterday people would approach me as if I had lost a child, people turn their back to me in public”.

“Mr. Brannon is a client, like many of my clients, it’s someone who deserves all my respect.”

“I have no problem, if you don’t owe anything; you have nothing to worry about.”

“Scott has an online betting business in Asia, with a call center here, like many others, it’s a transparent business (…) I put my hands on fire for him, I’ve never seen anything illegal.”

“You can accuse anyone of anything, but if there is proof then take me to court.”

“At least I have a way to defend myself with these microphones, cameras and my lawyer, but I have to say there must be many innocent people here in prison who are falsely accused and don’t have the means to defend themselves.”

“Juan Carlos Bolaños knew of this file I had told him about it before, and he told me that he could make it disappear (…) I understood that through Celso, but I don’t know Celso Gamboa, I haven’t met with him, Bolaños spoke a lot about him.”

Patey maintains his innocence and the complete transparency of his businesses. He stated he wants the authorities to continue and conclude their investigation in order to clear his name.