In a few days, the Ministry of Human Capital, led by Sandra Pettovello, came under crossfire over two issues: the retention of food in the ministry’s warehouses in the midst of a social crisis following the adjustment made by Javier Milei’s government is one of them. . The other is an agreement had been made with the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), with evident irregularities.
Human Capital: the first complaint for undistributed food
The information about the food collected without distributing it emerged on May 22 from a request for access to public information made by the media The uncovering. On May 23, Juan Grabois added this information to the criminal case that he had initiated in February against the Minister of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovello, for “failure to fulfill the duties of a public official” and for “suspending the delivery of basic foods to dining rooms.”
Federal judge Sebastián Casanello ordered the Ministry of Human Capital, headed by Sandra Pettovello, to report how much food destined for soup kitchens is stored and arrange for its immediate distribution. This decision was appealed by the national government, although distribution will begin this Tuesday, in the midst of legal cases and after it was learned that there were expired or expiring products.
Besides, Justice has open investigations in different courts for the failure to deliver these foods kept in the sheds.
Human Capital: the complaint for embezzlement of funds
There is also a criminal complaint filed by lawyer Leonardo Martínez Herrero for alleged “embezzlement of public fundsactive and passive bribery, fraudulent administration and illicit association depending on the number of people involved.
The complaint pointed to Pablo de la Torre (who was fired from the Government), Federico Fernández, Esteban Bosch, Héctor Calvente, Fernando De La Cruz Molina Pico, Gonzalo Avetrani, Santiago Anziano, Maria Luisa Irigoyen, Nicole Tatschke, “and/or any other person who may arise from this investigation », according to the presentation.
He referred to the mechanism on the ways in which officials of the aforementioned portfolio distribute funds destined for the payment of contracts for “professionals” through agreements with recognized International organizationssuch as the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI).
Human Capital: Pettovello herself asked for an investigation after firing De la Torre
In this context, and as an attempt to resume the political and judicial initiative, Pettovello’s own portfolio made a presentation to the Anti-Corruption Office regarding the revelations of the agreement so that the case could be investigated, after dismissing De la Torre.
The presentation, made by the Undersecretary of Human Capital Legal Affairs, Leila Gianni, It was registered with the number 2098/2024.
The cover of the case is titled, for the moment, “crime investigation.”
During 2024, the prosecutor’s office that collaborates with the Lijo court is that of Ramiro González. The complaint focuses on the alleged payment of bonuses through personnel hiring through an agreement with the OEI.
The Government must justify today in court why it did not make a plan to distribute food
This Tuesday, the Federal Chamber will listen to the representatives of the ministry of Human Capital, within the framework of the case for the collection and non-delivery of food to canteens. In principle, the hearing was going to be on Wednesday, the deadline they had to present a written memorial. But they requested an oral hearing, according to judicial sources.
Human Capital officials must justify why they decided not to present the plan immediate distribution of the food requested by Casanello.
