Former chief accused of utilizing a dealer married to his private secretary to safe authorities insurance coverage insurance policies.
Argentina’s former President, Alberto Fernandez, has been ordered to face trial for alleged corruption associated to insurance coverage insurance policies taken out by the federal government for the general public sector throughout his 2019-2023 time period.
Fernandez shall be prosecuted for “negotiations incompatible with the train of public workplace”, in accordance with Choose Sebastian Casanello’s ruling printed in Argentinian media on Thursday, and confirmed by the previous chief’s lawyer, Mariana Barbitta.
The 66-year-old stands accused of fraudulent administration over his authorities’s use of brokers – certainly one of whom allegedly had ties to his workplace – to contract insurance coverage insurance policies that might have been negotiated immediately.
The decide famous in his order that in December 2021, in the midst of his presidency, Fernandez issued a decree that compelled the complete public sector to contract completely with Nacion Seguros SA, an insurance coverage firm then led by Alberto Pagliano, a pal of Fernandez.
It resulted in a boon and great progress for the corporate.
The primary dealer of the deal was allegedly the husband of Fernandez’s private secretary.
The court docket ordered a freeze on about $10m of Fernandez’s property because the case proceeds, in accordance with Thursday’s ruling.
Some 33 different individuals are additionally named within the case. Fernandez didn’t instantly touch upon the case.
Fernandez didn’t search re-election after serving a single time period, handing the keys of the presidential palace to self-described “anarcho-capitalist” President Javier Milei in December 2023.
The corruption allegations emerged when a court docket ordered an examination of his secretary’s cellphone whereas investigating assault claims made towards Fernandez by his ex-partner Fabiola Yanez.
Yanez filed a grievance accusing Fernandez of getting crushed her throughout their relationship, which ended after he left workplace.
He faces a separate trial on expenses of home abuse.
Fernandez’s leftist Peronist motion, which dominated Argentinian politics for many of the nation’s post-war historical past, has been dogged by allegations of corruption.
Ex-President Cristina Kirchner, one other senior Peronist, is serving a six-year sentence below home arrest after being convicted of fraud involving public works contracts awarded throughout her two phrases.