Molino Fénix corruption investigation in San Luis

The investigation into the Molino Fénix complex in Villa Mercedes, San Luis, has progressed to a legislative vote regarding Deputy Joaquín Beltrán. Beltrán is accused of being the leader of an illicit association alongside Anabela Lucero, facing charges of fraudulent administration, illicit association, and the concealment or destruction of evidence.

The Chamber of Deputies is scheduled to vote on a request from the Public Prosecutor’s Office to strip Beltrán of his parliamentary immunity. This measure is intended to allow the judiciary to apply coercive actions, such as preventive detention, which are currently barred by his legislative protections. To pass, the motion requires a two-thirds majority, or 29 out of 43 votes.

Political divisions have emerged regarding the procedure. While the General Legislation Commission issued a majority report in favor of removing immunity, the opposition provided a minority report against it. Members of the Justicialist Party (PJ) have criticized the timing, arguing that immunity should not be stripped during the initial investigative stage of the process.

The broader investigation continues to examine alleged financial irregularities at the Molino Fénix Cultural Complex and the Casa de la Música between 2020 and 2023, with prosecutors estimating a loss of approximately 900 million pesos to the public administration. Anabela Lucero, Enzo Lucero, and Exequiel Scarel remain under 60-day preventive detention orders issued by Judge Santiago Ortiz.