Porter now faces money laundering charge in addition to fraud allegations Quebec's anti-corruption squad has prepared fresh charges against the high-powered medical executive arrested in Panama. Dr. Arthur Porter now faces a charge of money laundering in addition to the charges of fraud, accepting bribes and conspiracy that were outstanding from earlier in the year. Dr. Porter and his wife, Pamela Porter, were arrested at an airport in Panama Monday shortly after they landed on a flight from their home in the Bahamas. Dr. Porter attempted to claim immunity using a diplomatic passport when he was first detained, according to a source cited by the Montreal newspaper, La Presse. Dr. Porter, who holds a Sierra Leone passport and was once honorary consul to the country, was momentarily released by Panamanian authorities before they decided the Interpol warrant out for his arrest took precedence over his claim of immunity, the paper reported. Dr. and Mrs. Porter were reportedly trying to fly to Trinidad. Investigators obtained a new warrant for Dr. Porter's arrest last month, adding his wife, Pamela Porter, to the list of former health officials and SNC-Lavalin executives already arrested. Dr. Porter was instrumental in the awarding in 2010 of a $1.3-billion contract to SNC-Lavalin to build a massive new English hospital in Montreal. He ran the hospital for seven years and was on Canada's spy oversight committee before abruptly resigning and moving to the Bahamas in 2011. A forensic audit showed $22.5-million was transferred in 2009 from the Montreal-based engineering and construction giant, SNC-Lavalin, to a company in the Bahamas called Sierra Asset Management. Investigators say the money was used to bribe officials, including Mr. Porter. Dr. Porter, who owns a clinic in the Bahamas, says he is being treated for lung cancer. He has denied the allegations.