There was a twist in the case involving the former dean of the School of Communication Sciences at UNC, Mariela Parisi. Federal Judge Hugo Vaca Narvaja declared the indictment filed by Prosecutor Enrique Senestrari null and void. The judge's argument points to serious flaws in the description of the facts, which affect the defendant's right to a defense.
The accusation originated from a complaint of alleged fraudulent administration. According to the prosecutor, Parisi allegedly used public funds (specifically, from the school) for personal purposes. The expenses cited included trips abroad, food services, and contracts without bidding at the School of Communication at UNC.
The judge stated that the prosecutor's request lacks key data such as dates, receipts, and specifics. "There is no identification of the time, not even an estimate, of the acts committed," he noted. For Vaca Narvaja, this omission constitutes a violation of Article 188 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Hugo Vaca Narvaja, juez federal N°3 de Córdoba
Deficiencies identified in the investigation
The ruling also dismissed the role of Lucas Valdéz as plaintiff, the complainant who initiated the case. "It doesn't appear that he is the individual offended by the crime," the judge indicated. In his decision, he explained that Valdéz did not provide sufficient legal standing to intervene in the case as a prosecuting party.
Regarding the evidence, the judge emphasized that it is not enough to list alleged irregular expenses. "That is, the information held by the Public Prosecutor's Office is not detailed, and the proper exercise of the right to a defense is affected." With this, he concluded that the accusation did not meet the minimum requirements for validity.
The complaint had pointed to trips to destinations such as Ecuador and Costa Rica, purchases of technological supplies, and per diems without justification. It also mentioned contracts with relatives of Parisi and expenses on fuel and parking without an identified license plate. Nevertheless, the nullification of the request temporarily halts the judicial process.
