Alberto Fernández was indicted for corruption in the 'Causa Seguros' case

Federal Judge Sebastián Casanello has indicted former President Alberto Fernández in the so-called"Seguros case", for alleged corruption in the contracting of insurance policies by numerous public agencies. According to the accusation, between December 2019 and December 2023, the now former president signed a decree that imposed the obligation to contract exclusively with Nación Seguros S.A.

The investigation describes a scheme in which 45 contracts, 25 intermediaries, and commissions of more than 3,000 million pesos (6,614,000 pounds) allegedly operated within what the judiciary defined as a "criminal structure" aimed at benefiting individuals connected to the presidential circle. The most compromising link is that of broker Héctor Martínez Sosa, husband of a former secretary of the former president, who allegedly acted as an intermediary in a large part of the operations.

The accusation specifically states that Fernández issued DNU 823/2021 without technical support or transparency, eliminating competition in public contracting and harming the interest of the State.  Last April, the Federal Chamber overturned an asset freeze, although Judge Casanello reinstated it after determining that there were well-founded indications of a crime.

The former president maintained that his decree sought to curb cartelization and strengthen the state insurer, and requested to call former officials who could support his version. However, the investigation has already collected evidence of million-dollar invoices to Martínez Sosa and phone records that point to a deliberate steering of contracts.

The indictment represents a milestone in the case, but Casanello still has to decide whether to refer the case to a public trial. Meanwhile, the controversy reinforces the narrative of the libertarian political wing, which keeps that cases like this justify the institutional transformation promoted by the current Government.