Versión Español
EspañolAmado Boudou, vice president of Argentina, was charged on Friday by Federal Judge Ariel Lijo. The allegation is that he accepted bribes by illegally retaining funds from Ciccone, a company that prints money for the state.
The story continues that Boudou used his influence to help the money-printing company avoid bankruptcy in 2010, when he was Finance Minister. He then gained ownership in the company through a mysterious investment fund called “The Old Fund.”
The ruling decreed that Amado Boudou “will not await trial in jail. The evidence presented before the court rules that he is guilty of multiple offenses of bribery and conducting business incompatible with public office.”
Boudou is the first Argentinean vice president to be charged in a corruption case. Opposition leaders have demanded that President Christina Kirchner strip Boudou of his title, — which he assumed in December 2011 with Kirchner’s second term — until he admits to his role as a middle-man in the Ciccone money transfer. Boudou has reiterated his innocence and refuses to leave his post.
Diego Pirota, Boudou’s defense attorney, has declared that he will appeal Judge Ariel Lijo’s decision that Boudou took bribes and conducted business incompatible with his position.
“The ruling does not surprise me; the result does not surprise me. I spoke with Boudou, and we are not at all surprised,” said Pirota, while Boudou was on a business trip in Cuba and Panama. The counsel affirmed that the decision to prosecute the vice president “was already said and done before the inquiry” on June 9.
Meanwhile, Argentinean newspaper Clarín has reported that the Casa Rosada (Presidential house) expected the outcome as well. A government source said that President Kirchner is working on the appeal case and remains supportive of Boudou’s innocence.
