Vanesa Petrillo Former Disability Agency head Diego Spagnuolo appeared before the judiciary and named the attorney that will represent him in the investigation into alleged bribery that is currently rocking the government.
The scandal began after leaked recordings surfaced in which Spagnuolo could be heard accusing President Milei’s sister, Karina Milei, and her right-hand man, Eduardo “Lule” Menem, of taking kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies in exchange for government contracts.
Spagnuolo named attorney Ignacio Rada Schultze, who specializes in criminal economic law. The case is being investigated by Federal Judge Sebastián Casanello and prosecutor Franco Picardi.
What will Spagnuolo do
There was speculation on Thursday whether Spagnuolo would appear before the courts as a cooperating witness or if he would be charged for a crime. It is still not clear what strategy the former disability agency head will take, but sources close to him revealed that he “fears for his life” and is willing to testify.
There are other legal avenues Spagnuolo could choose to pursue. One possibility is to question the legitimacy of the investigation’s origin and try to have the probe closed. Another strategy could be to argue that a different court has already investigated him in connection to a similar case and closed all inquiries.
Spagnuolo’s appearance before the court coincided with his official falling out with the government, as the administration announced that they will file a complaint against the former disability agency head. Milei himself said Spagnuolo is lying, denying all accusations and calling the whole thing a “political operation.”
The government had previously offered two law firms that he could retain for representation, but Spagnuolo declined.
The judiciary is currently collecting evidence. They have already seized the cellphones of the Kovalivker brothers — owners of pharmaceutical Suizo Argentina, accused of coordinating the bribery scheme — and Spagnuolo. They also obtained documentation in a series of police searches.
A preliminary report stated that certain messages from Spagnuolo’s phone had been erased. The question for investigators is why he deleted, or had someone delete, the messages if he was willing to appear before the court.
The investigation began after attorney Gregorio Dalbón, who has defended former two-time President Cristina Kirchner, filed a criminal complaint after the leaked recordings surfaced.
