The former official said that his municipality stopped works due to non-compliance and finished them with its own funds.
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The former Minister of Economy and former intendent of Tigre, Sergio Massa, testified this Wednesday before the Federal Oral Court 5 in the framework of the trial for the “Shared Dreams” case and acknowledged that there were breaches in the housing works carried out by the Mothers Foundation of Plaza de Mayo in that municipality.
During his testimony, Massa explained that these irregularities led to the municipality's decision to discontinue the work. As he explained, the works finally had to be completed with the local administration's own funds after the national government interrupted the
corresponding payments. The former presidential candidate testified as a witness.
The leader, who was cited as a witness for his role as mayor, also confirmed that Tigre signed three agreements with the foundation to develop housing projects in the Cina Cina, Garrote and São Paulo neighborhoods.
He clarified that he was not the one who signed the initial agreements, since at that time he was using a license to serve as chief of staff during the Cristina Kirchner administration.
Despite recognizing breaches, Massa noted that the municipality did not move forward with criminal complaints against the foundation. He also indicated that he held two meetings with Sergio Schoklender, the main person responsible for the program and one of the defendants in the
judicial process.
In another part of his statement, he argued that the works had a positive impact on some sectors, although he avoided delving into the faults detected. In addition, he said that he did not hold meetings with national officials after his departure from the government in 2009, in a context that he described as one of a “tense” relationship
. Hebe de Bonafini was the president of the Foundation while she was alive.
The “Shared Dreams” cause investigates the alleged diversion of public funds earmarked for the construction of social housing during Kirchnerism. Between 2008 and 2011, the national State transferred 748 million pesos to the Fundación Madres de Plaza de Mayo, of which, according to the prosecution, at least 206
million were diverted.
The trial has key figures in the scheme on the bench, including Sergio and Pablo Schoklender, former minister Julio De Vido and former Secretary of Public Works José López. Other important political leaders, such as Mauricio Macri, have also given statements, and the participation of governors and former officials linked to the agreements is expected
