Former head of the National Disability Agency (ANDIS in Spanish) Diego Spagnuolo testified on Wednesday in a Comodoro Py court, where he stated he “had nothing to do with the charges” brought against him and he would “review the case in depth” as soon as he has access to the case file’s evidence.
This was indicated by lawyer Mauricio D’Alessandro, representing Spagnuolo, on his way out of the courthouse.
“Spagnuolo also said he would testify again after reading everything,” his counsel added.
The case was commenced when some voice messages were brought to light in which Spagnuolo allegedly claimed there was a circuit of bribes around the purchase of medication for disabled people, which led to his exit.
The court investigation is centred on the alleged bribes paid within the purchase of medication for those under the Incluir Salud Programme, intended for people receiving non-contributory pensions with health insurance.
The case investigating alleged corruption manoeuvres at ANDIS has 15 people involved, including former officials from the body and representatives from the private sector, singled out for the involvement in an alleged scheme of purchase routing, overpricing and irregular handling of funds linked to the provision of medication and expensive supplies.
The main people involved include Spagnuolo, and the former Health Service Access director, Daniel Garbellini, whom the prosecution is holding liable for purchase routing and introduction of third parties into decision-making over public funds.
Spagnuolo, Garbellini and Miguel Ángel Calvete have also faced the seizure of all their electronic devices, while searches at the homes of Eduardo Nelio González, Lorena Di Giorno and Pablo Atchabahian were ordered to seize documentation, money and technological elements linked to contracts with various pharmacies.
Together with them, other people indicted who must testify include Roger Edgar Grant, Luciana Ferrari, Federico Maximiliano Santich, Guadalupe Ariana Muñoz, Patricio Gustavo Rama, Ruth Noemí Lozano, Andrés Horacio Arnaudo, Silvana Vanina Escudero and Alejandro Gastón Fuentes Acosta, all mentioned due to their alleged involvement in the investigated scheme t.
In parallel, the homes of Sebastián Nuner Uner, Sergio Daniel Mastropietro, Julio César Viera, Diego D’Giano, Ornella Calvete, Fernando Jensen and Fernando Daniel Domínguez were searched, as well as the headquarters of Baires Fly S.A.
The case will continue in the few days with the round of testimonies and evidentiary measures ordered, while the court and prosecution progress in the determination of the role of each of the defendants within the alleged circuit of irregularities at ANDIS.
TIMES/NA
Comments