The recent rejection of the request for Alberto Fernandez to remove Judge Julián Ercolini from the case known as the “Insurance Scandal” has caused a great stir in the political and judicial spheres of Argentina. This case, which involves accusations of defrauding the State, has been a constant source of controversy and debate.
The request for recusal was presented by the defense of the former president Alberto Fernandezwho argued that there was a manifest enmity between him and Judge Ercolini. According to the former president, this enmity originated from a personal relationship that both had in the academic environment of the University of Buenos Aires.
Besides, Fernandez He claimed that during his presidential term he had ordered a complaint against Ercolini for a trip he made with company executives to Patagonia, which, according to him, could influence the judge’s impartiality.
However, the Fourth Chamber of the Federal Court of Criminal Appeals, headed by Judge Gustavo Hornos, rejected this request. In his ruling, Hornos argued that there was insufficient evidence to prove bias on the part of Ercolini.
He also noted that the personal relationship mentioned by Fernandez had not been conclusively proven and that Judge Ercolini had denied any kind of bias towards the former president.
The “Insurance Scandal” refers to a series of irregularities detected in insurance intermediation during the management of Alberto Fernandez. According to an audit carried out by the government of Javier Milei, multiple irregularities were found in the contracting of insurance policies by state agencies.
Normative
The regulations in force during the mandate of Alberto Fernandez It forced these organizations to contract their insurance through Nación Seguros, a subsidiary of Banco Nación, but allowed the intervention of private brokers who charged commissions.
Fernández’s defense has maintained that these accusations are unfounded and that they are part of a political persecution against him. However, the decision by the Criminal Cassation Court to keep Ercolini in charge of the case has been seen as a significant setback for the former president..
