Córdoba: 'Bomberos SA' case goes to trial with Folli as the main defendant

Prosecutor Guillermo González requested that the case known in Córdoba as "Bomberos SA" be sent to trial. The investigation targets an alleged illicit association that operated from the central fire station and municipal offices. According to the Prosecutor's Office, the network allegedly issued fraudulent inspection certificates in exchange for payments over several years.

Gustavo Folli, former Deputy Chief of Police and former Director of Firefighters, is listed as one of the main suspects. The accusation places him as the alleged leader of the group since 2008 and charges him with illicit association and ideological falsehood. He is also accused of coercion, threats, and acts of gender-based violence recorded in the prosecutor's resolution.

The investigation indicates that Sergio Sosa succeeded Folli and that later Julio Zárate took on tasks related to management. Zárate faces charges of active bribery, aggravated concealment, and repeated use of false documents in eleven cases. In addition, business owners and technicians allegedly paid to obtain reports that concealed hygiene and safety deficiencies.

How the alleged parallel office operated

The case describes a parallel office to the Department of Projects and Technical Consulting where documents were processed. The space began on the ground floor of the fire station and was later moved to the first floor, near the Directorate, according to the Prosecutor's Office. Between 2008 and 2023, fraudulent certificates were allegedly issued that disregarded National Law 19.587 and its decree 351/79.

Managers and engineers went to that office to pay considerable sums and receive fake inspections. With those documents, businesses and companies could operate despite safety and hygiene deficiencies detected on the premises. The Prosecutor's Office keeps that the scheme was financed with direct payments and that there were officials who expedited the procedures.

José Gorocito, the deputy chief's driver, is mentioned for his role in expediting procedures and facilitating meetings. Eduardo Rivadero and Mónica Barrionuevo are identified as those who allegedly managed the parallel office and the records. The Prosecutor's Office attaches minutes and communications intended to demonstrate the operation and the participation of the accused.

Who are all the accused and what are they charged with

Felix Calama is charged with illicit association and ideological falsehood in several cases according to the prosecutor's accusation. José Leonardo Gorocito appears as a member of the association and as a probable co-author in the initial scheme under investigation. Eduardo Rivadero and Mónica Barrionuevo are charged for their alleged participation in the association and for ideological falsehood in specific acts.

Marcos Fernando Lúquez faces charges for association and for multiple acts of repeated ideological falsehood. Leandro Gastón Rodríguez is accused of using false public documents and of participating in the preparation of minutes and certificates. Natalia Vanina Brasca and Darío Sebastián Brasca are charged with active bribery, and Darío is also charged with aggravated concealment and use of false documents.

Carlos Ariel Goldaracena Altamirano, Marcos Octavio Gennaro, and Miguel Angel Amil are accused of aggravated concealment and use of false documents. The Prosecutor's Office requested the referral to trial of these defendants to move forward with the prosecution of the alleged criminal structure. In total, the resolution includes sixteen defendants among officials, managers, business owners, and engineers involved in the scheme.