JUDGE SENDS OLIVOSGATE PROBE TO SAN ISIDRO

Af ter several days of speculation about jurisdiction and competence regarding the high-profile investigation into the so-called ‘Olivosgate’ scandal, Federal Judge Sebastián Casanello has sent the case to prosecutors in San Isidro.

The decision, confirmed by judicial sources to Perfil, came after the judge ruled that the case was not in his jurisdiction. The alleged offences did not take place in the federal capital, where Casanello’s court is located, but at the Olivos presidential residence, which falls outside the City’s bounds.

The accused, among them President Alberto Fernández, face allegations of attending an illegal birthday party for First Lady Fabiola Yañez at the Olivos presidential residence in June 2020, in contravention of Covid lockdown rules.

The president asked for his dismissal from the case, considering that there was no crime since the meeting did not generate contagion to his own or third parties. He has proposed a fine for himself consisting of donating half of his salary to the Anlis-malbrán Institute for the next four months.