Bribery notebooks trial: Witness details key car in alleged collection circuit

A witness in the "Cuadernos de las coimas" (Notebooks of Bribes) trial has provided details about a car central to an alleged corruption scheme involving public works during the Kirchner governments. César Neira, 69, who managed the presidential garage for four years, testified about a Ford Focus with license plate HBU-606.

This vehicle was provided to the presidency by the manufacturer as a "courtesy loan" and is listed in the notebooks of driver Oscar Centeno as one of the cars used for collecting bribes. Neira initially stated he knew nothing about the car. However, after being shown a document he signed confirming its receipt from the manufacturer in 2008, he recalled the delivery.

The Ford Focus is a significant piece of evidence because it appears in multiple entries in Centeno's notebooks. For instance, an entry from July 30, 2009, describes a trip to the Kirchner family's residence in Recoleta to deliver an estimated $2.4 million in cash. According to Centeno's notes, Daniel Muñoz, a secretary to Néstor Kirchner, arrived at the location in the "Ford Focus HBU 606 silver gray."

Further entries from August 2009 detail Muñoz receiving a bag and a rolling suitcase filled with pesos, with Muñoz reportedly using the "Ford Focus 5-door HBU 606." The trial continues with further witness testimonies.