Justice is investigating a businessman for the alleged abuse of his son's classmates
Compartir:
The National Justice system is investigating Marcelo Porcel foralleged repeated conduct of sexual abuse, corruption of minors, and related crimes. He is the father of students at Colegio Palermo Chico. The case was initiated after complaints from classmates of his son, and currently there are already ten minors who have appeared before the Justice system to recount the events.
The file, identified as case No. 36,627/2024, is filed with National Criminal and Correctional Court No. 50, presided over by Judge Carlos Manuel Bruniard. The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office No. 1, headed by Pablo Turano, is also involved. The original complaint was filed on July 5, 2024, and the process is in the investigation stage.
Juez Carlos Manuel Bruniard
Who the defendant is and the complaints
Porcel is a businessman linked to the entertainment and gastronomy sectors. He is a former concessionaire of Oh! Buenos Aires and the son of the founder of Argencard —a credit card that in the 1990s was sold to Grupo Exxel—.
According to the court file, the alleged abuses would have occurred between 2022 and 2024 in different places. There was mention of an apartment in the Le Parc tower, located at Godoy Cruz and Cerviño; another property in front of that building; and the defendant's offices located a few meters from the Obelisk in Buenos Aires.
The accounts of the minors describe a repeated pattern of conduct. Porcel, the father of several students at the school, participated actively in sports activities. Furthermore, he organized gatherings among friends, offered transportation, and presented himself as available to adolescents between 13 and 14 years old.
Over time, according to the complaints, that closeness led to frequent meetings at his home. There was persistent pressure for the boys to stay overnight and a constant participation of the adult in environments typical of the adolescent world. None of these events, in isolation, initially prompted a complaint.
According to the statements included in the file, there would then have been an escalation. There began to be the provision of alcohol at gatherings of minors, financial incentives to consume alcoholic beverages, transfers of money to virtual wallets, and rewards for challenges of "enduring more alcohol". In some cases, the adolescents would have received money or gifts —such as stickers from the 2022 World Cup— in exchange for certain behaviors, such as "running around the table in underwear."
Un padre denunciando por abuso de menores
Secrecy and control
Some of the reported gatherings would not have been limited to the family home. According to the case file, some meetings were moved to the defendant's offices at night, with the argument of not "bothering" other adults. There are also mentions of gatherings in an apartment belonging to Porcel's mother, located in the Le Parc Tower, which was unoccupied.
The complainants recounted that the logistics included transportation in private vehicles and explicit instructions not to tell what was happening. The file includes transcripts of group chats in which the adult participated actively. He organized gatherings and in this way the idea of secrecy was reinforced, with the use of money and alcohol as mechanisms of control.
Judicial measures and evidence included
After the case was initiated, Judge Bruniard ordered a precautionary measure that prohibits Porcel from any type of contact —direct or indirect— with the alleged victims and their families. The restraining order also prevents him from approaching Colegio Palermo Chico and Club Gimnasia y Esgrima de Buenos Aires (GEBA), where several of the complainants play.
The majority of the minors have already testified in a Gesell Chamber. In addition, official and private psychological expert reports were included, as well as searches of properties linked to the defendant and examinations of electronic devices. On Porcel's cell phone, chats relevant to the accusation and photographs of naked minors were found, according to the file.
The defendant's position and the status of the case
When asked about the case, Porcel stated that the expert reports ordered by the judge concluded that there was no abuse and indicated that the Forensic Medical Corps ruled in that sense. However, the case is still ongoing and more complainants continue to come forward.
The Children's Defender requested on two occasions that the defendant be summoned for questioning. Furthermore, she requested a ban on leaving the country and the retention of his travel documents, citing the seriousness of the case and the plurality of minor victims. So far, the judge has not ordered the questioning, arguing reasons of procedural economy while the statements continue.
This situation has prompted complaints from parents who have been waiting for such a statement since 2024.
Tribunales de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
The school's role and the breaking of the silence
The administration of Colegio Palermo Chico reported that, in response to statements received about events that occurred outside the school environment, the corresponding protocols were activated and the Council for the Rights of Girls, Boys, and Adolescents was involved. They also indicated that the family no longer belongs to the educational community.
The accounts agree that the silence was broken once it stopped being seen as a "protection." The boys testified with professional support and described fear, confusion, and shame in the face of an adult with power and resources. Today, they are waiting for the Justice system to move forward with the case and determine responsibilities.
