Ramón Fonseca, co-founder of the law firm central to the Panama Papers scandal, passed away while awaiting the verdict in his money-laundering trial. The trial involved allegations of creating shell companies to conceal illicit funds. Since the scandal broke in 2016, Fonseca maintained his innocence, stating that the firm was not responsible for the use of the companies. The Panama Papers investigation, triggered by a massive data leak, implicated numerous high-profile individuals in suspicious financial transactions. Fonseca, a renowned novelist and former UN employee, had been involved in offshore banking and served as an advisor to Panama's president. The leaked files led to resignations of prime ministers and legal troubles for Fonseca and his partner, Jürgen Mossack. The firm closed in 2018, asserting its adherence to the law. Fonseca's health suffered due to the scandal, and his daughter attributed his decline to the political persecution and injustices he faced.