Boudou denounces 'brutal attack' against popular will, Nat'l institutions

Vice-President Boudou blasted the local press and denounced what he called a ‘brutal attack’ against popular will and national institutions today during a press conference to defend himself from embezzlement accusations.

Investigators raided an apartment owned by Vice President Amado Boudou yesterday as part of a court probe into possible influence peddling by the country's second-in-command.

The investigation centers on whether Boudou helped printing company Ciccone Calcografica get out of bankruptcy in 2010 and later steered a contract to its new owners to print money.

“It’s a shame that, after the day we had yesterday, we have to address shady media operations,” Boudou lamented referring to last night’ storm which hit Buenos Aires City and Province leaving over a dozen dead and destruction throughout the region.

Boudou denied the embezllement allegations. “I never took any action to favour Ciccone company,” he told reporters. The Vice-President also blasted the press for an alleged campaign against him. “This is a media soap opera. It goes against the popular will in the Argentine Republic,” Boudou stated.

Boudou also accused Clarin’s Group CEO Héctor Magneto for taking part in what he called a “media mob.” The vice president blasted judge Daniel Rafecas for "running a “news agency by releasing sub judice summary proceedings."

The country’s second in command said the accusations in the “Ciccone Case” are part of “media soap opera” and blamed Boldt Company for starting the corruption cause against him.

He also praised Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s government by saying he was “proud to be a part of an administration that has never lower its arms.”

Boudou also reiterated “there were no illegal activities on his mandate as an Economy minister and Vice-president.”

Boudou served as Argentina's economy minister for more than two years before he took office as vice president in December. He has denied any link to the printing company, which now operates under the name Compania de Valores Sudamericana (CVS).