An Argentine judge on Thursday ordered ex-Argentine president Alberto Fernandez, 66, to stand trial for alleged corruption relating to insurance policies taken out by government departments during his 2019-to-2023 term.
Fernandez would be prosecuted for “negotiations incompatible with the exercise of public office,” according to Judge Sebastian Casanello’s decision, published in Argentine media and confirmed by defense lawyer Mariana Barbitta.
Barbitta called it “an arbitrary, unfounded decision” that her team would appeal.
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Fernandez stands accused of fraudulent administration over his government’s use of brokers — one of whom allegedly had ties to his office — to contract insurance policies that could have been negotiated directly.
The main broker was allegedly the husband of Fernandez’s personal secretary.
The former president was aware of the arrangement, the judge’s brief said.
Fernandez has denied any wrongdoing.
The judge found the former president had “created and enabled a permissive environment” that allowed his close circle to profit, Argentine daily newspaper The Nation reported the ruling as saying.
The former secretary, her husband and about 30 others would also face trial in the case.
Fernandez did not seek re-election after serving a single term.
The corruption allegations emerged when a court ordered an examination of his secretary’s phone while investigating assault claims made against Fernandez by his former partner Fabiola Yanez.
Yanez filed a complaint accusing Fernandez of having beaten her during their relationship, which ended after he left office.
He faces a separate trial on charges of domestic abuse.
The graft case involves policies taken out with Nacion Seguros, the insurance arm of state-owned Banco Nacion, which Fernandez chose to cover government departments against various types of risks.
Casanello ordered a freeze on about US$11 million of Fernandez’s assets, Thursday’s ruling showed.
Fernandez’s leftist Peronist movement, which dominated Argentine politics for most of the country’s post-war history, has been dogged by allegations of corruption.
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