[REVISION HISTORY]

Money laundering investigation of José Luis Espert

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-23 10:53 UTC → 2026-10-23 20:08 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Argentine prosecutors requested the indictment of former national deputy José Luis Espert in a money laundering investigation involving a US$ 200,000 transfer received in January 2020. Prosecutors alleged the funds, sent to a U.S. bank account via Wright Brothers Aircraft Inc., were linked to businessman Federico “Fred” Machado and were disguised as payment for advisory services to the Guatemalan company Minas del Pueblo. Investigators claimed the contract was a front, noting Espert had no record of traveling to Guatemala. Federal Judge Lino Mirabelli subsequently processed Espert for money laundering and illicit enrichment. The ruling, issued in San Isidro, imposed a 1,000 million peso embargo on Espert’s assets and a prohibition on leaving Argentina. The court also processed Espert’s accountant, Mariano Alejandro Cosentino, as a necessary participant, imposing a 700 million peso embargo, and placed a 500 million peso embargo on the family company Varianza SA. Authorities suspect the illicit funds were integrated into the formal economy through the purchase of high-end vehicles, such as a BMW and a Lexus, and real estate investments, including a trust in Costa Esmeralda. Espert has maintained his innocence, asserting the payment was for legitimate services and was documented through notarized contracts. This judicial development follows the San Martín Federal Court of Appeals' rejection of defense motions to annul evidence and recuse prosecutor Rodolfo Domínguez. Espert’s legal team has indicated they will appeal the decision.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.