It occurs in the context of a criminal case that investigates alleged illegal maneuvers linked to assets purchased in Santiago del Estero.
At the same time, Tapia and Toviggino are already under investigation in another case pending in the Buenos Aires town of Campana, led by federal judge Adrián González Charvay. In this file, the Federal Cassation Chamber must define if the case continues in that jurisdiction or if it returns to the scope of the city of Buenos Aires
A federal prosecutor from Santiago del Estero requested this Friday the arrest of the president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, and the treasurer Pablo Toviggino, in the context of a criminal case investigating alleged money-laundering maneuvers linked to assets purchased in that province
.The measure was promoted by federal prosecutor Pedro Simón, who charged both leaders with the crimes of aggravated unlawful association and money laundering.
The case focuses on transactions involving properties and companies based in Santiago del Estero, the province where Toviggino is a native.
In addition, the case is in addition to other files that are already being processed in different jurisdictions.
In this new judicial front, the prosecutor also requested the carrying out of searches, expert examinations and the general prohibition of the defendants' assets, although the final decision on these measures must be taken by the federal judge of Tucumán, Guillermo Díaz.
In this context, at least 35 properties were identified in the province that would be registered in the name of companies linked to the treasurer
and his environment.The file also details the existence of different assets under analysis, including estates, houses, lots and vehicles, as well as shares in companies and financial investments such as fixed terms, shares and transactions with MEP dollars. According to the opinion, these assets would form part of a structure aimed at channeling funds through different mechanisms
Regarding the indictment, the prosecutor argued that Tapia, in his role as president of the AFA, would have allowed maneuvers in the administration of funds through transfers to companies linked
to Toviggino.Among the above-mentioned firms is Real Central SRL, associated with the alleged front man Luciano Pantano, identified as the owner of a small house in Pilar valued at 17 million dollars.
The ruling also mentions other companies that, according to the accusation, would be part of a corporate network. These include TourProdenter, owned by businessman Javier Faroni, for invoicing issued to companies related to the treasurer. This firm is already under analysis in the case being investigated in Campana
.The prosecutor also based the request for arrest on the risk of flight, considering the existence of an organized structure for the commission of the crimes under investigation.
The case in Santiago del Estero began on December 8, 2025, based on a complaint received by email at the prosecutor's office, and since then it has progressed with the collection of elements that led to the charges and measures requested.
