Salta officials indicted in massive disability pension fraud scheme

Federal authorities in Salta, Argentina, have indicted provincial deputy Gerardo Francisco Orellana and several other officials as part of an investigation into a fraudulent disability pension scheme. The investigation, led by prosecutor Carlos Amad and Judge Diego Anzorreguy, targets a coordinated network involving doctors, administrative staff, and political operators.

The group allegedly falsified medical certificates, clinical histories, and laboratory results to secure non-contributory disability pensions for individuals who did not meet legal requirements. According to the prosecution, the organization charged illegal fees ranging from $20,000 to $1,000,000 per transaction. The estimated economic damage to the Argentine National State is approximately $3.28 billion pesos per month.

Among those indicted are former hospital managers Oscar Ricardo Luna, César Ramiro Blanco, and Roberto Bernardino Morales. The case involves fifteen total defendants facing charges of illicit association, fraud against the state, falsification of documents, and breach of official duties.