La Derecha Diario Alberto Fernández expanded his statement and denied any wrongdoing in the Insurance Case
The case is moving toward a definition of the procedural situations of all the defendants
Former president Alberto Fernández testified again before the judiciary in the case regarding alleged irregularities in the insurance system during his administration. This time, he expanded his statement before federal judge Sebastián Casanello to provide explanations about the invoices issued between 2010 and 2019 in favor of broker Héctor Martínez Sosa, partner of his longtime secretary María Cantero.
According to a report by PROCELAC, Fernández invoiced Martínez Sosa's company for more than $4.2 million over nine years, with 2019 being the year with the highest amount invoiced. In his defense, the former president maintained that the payments correplied to "political and economic situation reports" that he provided to various clients, including private companies and unions.
Fernández's defense: no favors or crime
During the hearing, the former president rejected the charges and stated that there is no link between his professional services prior to his administration and the decisions he made in public office. He asserted that he never favored broker Martínez Sosa or participated in illegal maneuvers with state insurance.
His defense also sought to uphold decree 823, which eliminated the coinsurance system and granted exclusivity to Nación Seguros. Fernández reiterated that the measure was legal, that it did not mention intermediaries, and that it even limited brokers' commissions to 10% of the insured amount.
In this new statement, he requested that the judge summon Vilma Ibarra, Juan Pablo Cafiero, Miguel Pesce, and Martín Guzmán as witnesses to support the legitimacy of the decisions made during his administration.
The Federal Chamber lifted the asset freeze
Meanwhile, alongside Fernández's statement, the Federal Chamber revoked the asset freeze that had been imposed on him and 50 other individuals and companies. The measure, ordered by Casanello in April, prevented transactions with assets and safe deposit boxes. Judges Martín Irurzun and Eduardo Farah agreed that there is not enough evidence to uphold the precautionary measure. In contrast, judge Roberto Boico dissented.
The decision was well received by businesspeople and former officials involved, including Alberto Pagliano (former head of Nación Seguros), Martínez Sosa, his wife Cantero, and companies such as San Ignacio, Bachellier, San Germán, and TGG Broker.
Casanello deepens the investigation
Since taking over the case in February, Casanello has ordered new measures. Among them, a complete asset analysis of Daniel "El Gordo" Rodríguez, former police officer and one of Fernández's most trusted men, who managed the Olivos residence during his term. He also requested tax and financial information from ARCA since 2015.
One of the key documents in the case file is the 662-page report by PROCELAC, submitted in May, which analyzes Fernández's economic activities between 2010 and 2019, when he did not hold public office.
The case is moving toward a definition of the procedural situations of all those charged. Judge Casanello is assessing whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with indictments or issue dismissals.
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