Vidal asks official to resign over Cambiemos campaign contributions

Buenos Aires Province Governor María Eugenia Vidal has asked for the resignation of her province’s general accountant and a full audit of contributions to the Cambiemos (Let’s Change) coalition’s 2017 midterm electoral campaign in the region, as an alleged campaign financing scandal deepened.

Vidal said she had asked María Fernanda Inza to resign her post, though she called it a “preventative” measure and indicated the official still had her trust.

Inza, who was only confirmed as the province’s general accountant one week ago, previously served as a PRO party treasurer. She carried out the same role for Cambiemos coa- lition candidates in the 2017 midterm elections campaign, ultimately responsible for declaring the origin of campaign contributions.

“I have asked today for the resignation of the general accountant, María Fernanda Inza, from the general accounting office of the province, she was part of the team,” Vidal said.

“She was part of team for the campaign, but beyond that she has worked with me for several years. I know her, I trust her, and I have no objective elements that demonstrate her involvement in this case,” she added.

The move is a departure from the governor’s previous statements on the allegations. Just last week, she downplayed accusations that officials had committed electoral fraud, suggesting the claims were part of an opposition conspiracy from “Kirchnerite sectors.”

As well as requesting Inza’s resignation, Vidal said she had ordered a full audit of campaign contributions and vowed to make all officials and documentation available to judicial officials, with investigations ongoing. One branch of case is currently in the hands of prosecutor Jorge Di Lello in Buenos Aires City, and another with federal judge Sebastián Casanello.

“Faced with this, I show my face, as I have always done, in every difficulty, of life and mana- gement. Throughout my life my conduct has always been based on honesty,” Vidal added.

The investigation into Cambiemos’ 2017 midterm election campaign in Buenos Aires province centres on allegations that officials laundered money by falsifying donation receipts using the names and details of low-income welfare recipients.

As many as 400 people were listed as donors without their knowledge, reported as having given anywhere from AR$300 to AR$5,000, for a total of at least AR$300,000, according to an investigation carried out by journalist Juan Amorín for the news site El Destape.