Martinelli’s private secretary, Adolfo “Chichi” de Obarrio, who at the time was under 30, acted as a 'gatekeeper' for nearly all government purchases and was a friend of former President Martinelli’s son, Luis Enrique. Rafael Guardia, one of two former chiefs of the National Assistance Programme, which had access to funds of US£1.2 billion, says that he embezzled money on Luis Enrique's orders by means of 'commissions,' 'fresh air invoicing', dummy corporations and rigged auctions.