In December, the Appeals Chamber of La Plata revoked the house arrest granted to Facundo Albini, a former massista councilor, and his father Claudio Albini, former deputy director of personnel in the Buenos Aires Legislature. Both were arrested in November and face a trial alongside Julio Rigau for diverting at least 464 million pesos from the public treasury by paying salaries to non-existent employees.
Prosecutor Betina Lacki questioned the initial house arrest measure, considering it arbitrary and lacking sufficient motivation. The investigation began with Rigau's arrest in September 2023 for withdrawing money with 48 foreign debit cards at ATMs in La Plata. Despite a brief release, he was arrested again in October.
The Albinis were identified by the Justice as occupying hierarchical positions within the criminal organization, and it was considered that their continued house arrest could compromise the investigation. They are suspected of attempting to dispose of a mansion in a simulated manner to hide assets, which reinforces suspicions against them.
Although the internal investigation concluded that there were no irregularities or economic harm to the State, it is believed that the Albinis and Rigau are only intermediate links in a larger criminal structure, whose true responsible parties have yet to be identified. The Buenos Aires Legislature, despite the seriousness of the case, avoided assuming responsibilities.
The Appeals Chamber highlighted the good performance and work commitment of the employees identified as participants in the fraud, while investigators continue to work to clarify the entirety of the criminal plot and assign responsibilities to those deemed guilty.
