Argentine Chief of Staff Admits to Undeclared Savings, Contrasting Past Statements

Argentine Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni confirmed he has submitted his financial disclosure statement, addressing ongoing scrutiny over his wealth. Speaking on LN+ program Mesa Chica, Adorni, who is under investigation for illicit enrichment, admitted that he and his wife, Bettina Angeletti, "saved in black, like all Argentines."

When questioned by host José Del Rio about why they hadn't declared these savings, Adorni responded, "The way to escape the old politics was to have savings in black. I would never have thought of saving in white in those years." He added that he submitted his 2025 declaration, due July 31, along with rectifications for 2023 and 2024, to the Anti-Corruption Office.

Adorni, who has worked in the private sector since age 18, stated that he and his wife consistently saved throughout their lives, doing so "in black, like most Argentines who were fortunate enough to save." This statement contrasts with his remarks in March, where he asserted that everything was declared. "Rest assured that indeed everything that should be declared is declared in each of the agencies as it should be," he said at a press conference.

The controversy comes amid a delay in Adorni presenting his declaration to explain his patrimonial growth, a move demanded by Patricia Bullrich, the head of the libertarian bloc. Adorni has since adhered to the simplified income tax regime included in the fiscal innocence law, which may simplify tax issues but does not absolve him from providing an account to the judiciary. The news is developing.