Former Defense Minister Jorge Taiana, one of Kirchnerism's main candidates in Buenos Aires province, was accused of diverting more than 20 million dollars from the Socio-Urban Integration Fund (FISU), in a case that also involves Victoria Tolosa Paz and the squatter Juan Grabois.
The Apolo Foundation filed the complaint for embezzlement of funds, abuse of authority, and failure to fulfill public official duties, after discovering that the Ministry of Defense, under Taiana's supervision, had diverted FISU money to Tandanor, the state shipyard, to produce pergolas, bus shelters, and bicycle racks.
Taiana y Tolosa Paz, ambos involucrados.
According to the case file, Tandanor received more than USD 20 million from a total contract of 34 million, even though its specific function, according to Law 18.544, is limited to the naval industry and its related services. The contract was terminated before completion and the works were not fully carried out.
The FISU scandal adds to his record of privileges and impunity: Taiana was one of the beneficiaries of the VIP Vaccination Center, openly defended Nicolás Maduro's Chavista regime, and keeps ties with the Chinese Communist Party, which he has publicly praised.
The current Defense Minister, Luis Petri,publicly confirmed the irregularities he discovered upon taking office: Tandanor received multimillion-dollar payments for works that had nothing to do with ships or defense. These involved the manufacture of 1,800 pergolas and 600 bus shelters.
Actual ministro de defensa, Luis Petri.
Taiana, a former Montonero guerrilla turned diplomat and official, has an extensive criminal record. Weeks ago, journalist Eduardo Feinmann revealed on Radio Mitre that the candidate "has six pages of criminal records and background", including cases of abuse of authority, cover-up, fraud against public administration, and diplomatic hostilities with risk of war.
His transition from 1970s terrorism to political power illustrates Kirchnerism's DNA: activists without merit or management skills who turn the State into spoils of ideological war. Today, while the judiciary investigates the new multimillion-dollar diversion from the Ministry of Defense, Taiana is trying to return to Congress presenting himself as a "man of experience". However, his real experience seems to be more closely linked to corruption, violence, and fraudulent administration.
