Lázaro Báez investigated for maneuvers of nearly $391 million with properties seized from prison

The judicial investigation involving the Kirchnerist businessman Lázaro Báez, former partner of Cristina Kirchner in corruption schemes, has added new evidence: a series of phone taps show him giving orders from the federal prison of Ezeiza to manage properties and estates that were under embargo, as part of a case investigating alleged money laundering maneuvers amounting to nearly $391 million and possible links to an organization dedicated to drug trafficking

The recordings are part of an investigation led by the federal prosecutor of Río Gallegos, Julio Zárate, whose findings were presented during a hearing held this Thursday. According to the accusation, those involved allegedly used a pre-existing real estate and business portfolio, affected by judicial measures and requests for seizure, to generate income and carry out financial operations. The case also involves Claudia Insaurralde, Báez's partner; Cristian Ibáñez, identified as a presumed frontman; and accountant Diego Navarro, among other collaborators.

One of the most compelling conversations was recorded on October 8, when Báez discussed with a tenant the conditions of the contract for several properties used by laboratories in Río Gallegos. "I am the owner of the story here, not my family, nor the other lawyers", Báez stated, who also warned that he could terminate the agreement if they did not accept his conditions.

Other audio recordings, from October 5, captured instructions directed to Ibáñez regarding the management of the La Entrerriana and Alquinta estates, two establishments included among the assets being investigated by the Justice. Báez intended to decide who would be in charge of the properties and even warned: "I am going to call the one I need to call and I will kick everyone out". In those communications, his partner was referred to as "the Aunt," while his collaborators identified Báez himself as "the Uncle."

Among the assets under investigation are also the Cruz Aike estate, properties located in El Calafate and Río Gallegos, and companies such as Austral Agro S.A. and Kank y Costilla S.A., the latter commercially linked to the Kirchner family's firms, Los Sauces and Hotesur. The investigation also documented a conversation on October 20 about the possible sale of 600 sheep, during which the existence of animals without documentation was mentioned. According to the investigation, the scheme would have mobilized approximately $390,880,000 through various operations on assets affected by judicial measures.

The wiretaps also revealed the lack of control over the businessman's communications, who allegedly had access to a cell phone and used the public phone of the penitentiary facility to give instructions.

Báez is serving a unified sentence of 15 years in prison for the Ruta del Dinero K and Vialidad cases, while the new investigation again scrutinizes the management of his seized assets and the controls of the Federal Penitentiary Service that failed to prevent him from continuing to intervene in his businesses from prison.