Another scandal involving Kicillof: Jorge D'Onofrio is charged with fraud related to fines and the VTV

The former Buenos Aires Transport Minister, Jorge D'Onofrio, was formally charged in a multi-million dollar corruption case involving fraudulent maneuvers in the management of traffic fines and the Vehicle Technical Verification (VTV) system. Prosecutor Álvaro Garganta, in charge of the investigation, also charged 15 other people, including traffic judges, officials, and businessmen linked to the area.

The case, initiated in October 2023, was consolidated with the presentation of evidence revealing at least three criminal maneuvers within the Transport portfolio. D'Onofrio, who resisted his departure for months, resigned on December 30 and was dismissed without public explanations by Governor Axel Kicillof.

Corruption plot with state and business involvement

According to the prosecutor, one of the main maneuvers consisted of the irregular reduction of fines. Area officials, together with external managers, offered 50% discounts to offenders, in collusion with traffic judges. One of those involved is Mario Quattrocchi, a judge from La Plata, who was linked to gastronomic businesses in Spain along with councilor Claudia Pombo, also charged.

"They acted in collusion with third parties outside the agency, capturing debtors of infractions," states the judicial document.

Another irregularity arises from the awarding of VTV concessions. According to the investigation, the benefiting companies had to previously hire Soluciones en Telecomunicaciones y Electrónica S.A., a firm allegedly managed by Ministry officials. This company charged an 8.5% commission plus VAT for each assigned appointment.

CECAITRA and the camera system without legal approval

A third focus points to the hiring of CECAITRA, a civil association that operates 155 speed cameras in municipalities like Tigre, La Matanza, Campana, and Moreno. An internal report from the Ministry of Transport revealed that they did not have the corresponding administrative act, so the billing would have been done without legal authorization.

Days ago, Garganta ordered raids at the CECAITRA headquarters and at the home of its president, Bernardino García, from where a phone was seized to be examined. García is also among the 16 charged, facing charges of fraud against public administration, illicit association, illicit enrichment, bribery, and illegal exactions.

D'Onofrio, implicated in another money laundering case

In addition to this provincial investigation, D'Onofrio is being investigated by the federal judge of Campana, Adrián González Charvay, for money laundering. This week a financial institution in the Microcentro was raided where more than $60 million, USD 254,000, euros, and reais were seized. Shell companies and links with the toll system were also detected, in a network of operations pointing to asset concealment maneuvers.

"The raids are a continuation of the operation carried out at the Pilar hotel financial institution," judicial sources indicated.

The judge has already ordered the lifting of banking, tax, and stock market secrecy for all those charged, and is advancing with measures to investigate the assets of D'Onofrio and his entourage.