Tense negotiations with judge and claims of “ambush”: details of Alberto Fernandez investigation
Alberto Fernandez and Judge Julian Ercolini had not seen each other since March 2019, when they attended the former lawyer’s funeral esteban righiIn between, the former President had rigorously interrogated the magistrate. And in between, there was the “Lago Escondido” scandal, which Fernández publicized from a national network. There was tension in the air.
Fernandez wanted to “let off some steam” in Comodoro Paya. A close friend said, “He agreed because he told Ercolini what he wanted.”
The hearing started a few minutes before the scheduled time. Ercolini entered the office and Fernandez turned his back on him, although they eventually shook hands. The first crossing occurred due to the reading of the charge. “This is nonsense,” Was the reaction of the former President. The judge insisted that it be read, but there was no case. “We have already read it,” Fernandez responded, sitting next to Mariana Barbitta, his lawyer in the case.
During the investigation, Fernández defended Decree 823, which abolished the coinsurance system and gave a monopoly to Nación Seguros. He said that this rule ended “cartelization”, although he stressed that he did not promote it. “You can see it in the file monitoring system of the National Public Administration, and in a text message that you have from Pagliano and about which I became aware through the media, where he explained to me that the Ministry of Economy, the Superintendency of Insurance and Nación Seguros started a file so that all insurance remains in Nación Seguros,” he launched. It was a message without a clear recipient.
Furthermore, the former President said that the decree in question “A political decision that should not be the subject of criminal cases or judicialization.” He complained, as recorded in the full statement to which he had access, “I don’t understand what I’m explaining to a criminal judge.” infobae,
Fernandez also tried to distance himself from broker Hector Martínez Sosa. ,There has always been an affectionate relationship between us. But I never asked anyone to take over state insurance or to take me on as an insurance consultant. Hector Martínez Sosa knows me and knows my toughness on this issue. In my four years in office, I don’t think I saw him or talked to him more than four or five times, and we always talked about social issues, never about his business issues, about which I don’t know I don’t think it’s a crime to know him,” he said.
Last week a photo appeared in the files that showed they met at Olivos’ villa during his mandate. This photo was on the phone of his secretary, Maria Cantero.
At the end of the investigation, Fernandez answered some questions from his lawyer They showed him the chats that appear in the file. In particular, prosecutor Carlos Rivolo asked to show some messages with his secretary Maria Cantero, which were disclosed by Infobae on August 4.
– Maria Cantero: Hello boss, how are you?
– Alberto Fernandez: Everything is fine
– MC: I have a problem, they are taking away the chancellorship from Heiki (her husband) and they are appointing another producer. Hecky is going to talk to Juan Manuel. They already took some accounts from him… La Campora set up a broker. But the Chancellor is ours.
Shortly thereafter, the secretary sent the President a message that her husband must have sent her: “Good morning! The letter of appointment from the Chancellery in favor of the net broker was presented to PROVINCIA ART. The signature is Pablo Delgado from the Secretariat for Coordination and Overseas Planning. Alberto Fernandez’s response was in three words: “I’ll take care of it.”
When he showed them the chats, the former head of state tried to explain that phrase: “‘I’ll take care of it’ included calling the Chancellor and asking him if there was a problem with Provincia ART’s insurance. I warned him that some crooks were trying to hire an insurance consultant, and told him to be careful. This is not a trick that someone is trying to take advantage of. That’s what I said and ‘I will take care of it’.
The investigation took longer than expected to conclude. Fernandez became angry when he learned that journalists were waiting for him at the courthouse door. “This was not what was agreed upon,” he complained. Calls and negotiations took place between the police officers working in the custody of the former President and Comodoro Paya. Finally, Fernandez walked quickly down the corridor and boarded an elevator that was stopped by security. “Did he kill Fabiola?”He heard from the crowd. This question made him angry.