# Argentina UOM union fund investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-uom-union-fund-investigation
> Updated: 2026-09-03T16:10:56.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 3.

Legal and internal investigations continue in Argentina regarding the alleged fraudulent administration of funds within the Unión Obrera Metalúrgica (UOM).

Federal Judge Julián Ercolini has expanded the probe by lifting banking and tax secrecy for María Soledad Calle, Abel Furlán, and several other individuals, including Adalberto Braconi and Osvaldo Lobato. The investigation aims to reconstruct financial histories from 2022 to 2025, tracking assets such as luxury vehicles, boats, and real estate. Notably, authorities are examining Calle’s purchase of an apartment at San José 1111. A central focus of the inquiry is a service contract between the UOM and the company USEM S.A., which managed union branch bank accounts in exchange for fees totaling 0.5% of monthly inflows.

Parallel to the judicial proceedings, internal audits led by Alberto Biglieri confirmed that former Secretary General Abel Furlán diverted 11 union-owned vehicles for personal and family use. These included assignments to his son, Enzo Furlán, who was an employee of the union without a defined role and has since been dismissed. While several vehicles have been recovered, the broader investigation into the administration of union funds remains active.

## Claims

- 12 individuals with active arrest warrants were captured in the Ñuble region. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The crimes associated with the Ñuble detainees include drug trafficking, robbery, and quasi-homicide. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- 14 fugitives were detained in Iquique and Alto Hospicio during a three-day operation. (single source)
- The 14 detainees in Tarapacá had a combined total of 82 previous arrests. (single source)
- Detainees in Iquique included citizens of Chilean, Bolivian, and Venezuelan nationality. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-03: Argentine judge investigates UOM union officials and USEM S.A

Argentine Judge Julián Ercolini is investigating potential fraud involving UOM union officials and USEM S.A., including a probe into the assets of María Soledad Calle.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentine-judge-investigates-uom-union-officials-and-usem-sa

### 2026-08-29: UOM union investigation reveals vehicle diversion by Abel Furlán

Investigations in Argentina reveal the UOM union diverted 11 vehicles for personal use by Abel Furlán. Meanwhile, Chilean police conducted major operations, arresting dozens of fugitives and suspects.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-police-capture-dozens-of-fugitives-in-uble-and-tarapac-operations

### 2026-08-28: Argentina investigates UOM union funds and luxury asset acquisitions

Argentine authorities are investigating allegations of fraud within the UOM union, focusing on María Soledad Calle's acquisition of luxury assets and real estate using potentially diverted funds.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-investigates-uom-union-funds-and-luxury-asset-acquisitions

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Cite as: Argentina UOM union fund investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-uom-union-fund-investigation