Ex-Chaco Governor Capitanich Indicted for Fraud, Abuse of Authority in Land Scandal

Former Chaco Governor Jorge Capitanich faces charges including fraud, abuse of authority, and incompatible negotiations, stemming from an alleged scheme to irregularly allocate public lands. The investigation centers on former official Marta Soneira, accused of granting fiscal lands to her associates, decisions Capitanich reportedly endorsed with his signature.

The case, brought forth by current Governor Leandro Zdero's administration, involves accusations of "suspicious transfers of key institutional documentation leading to losses and alterations." According to the indictment, a mechanism for irregular allocation of thousands of hectares of fiscal lands was used, based on identical inspection reports. These reports allegedly benefited commercial partners of Soneira's husband, who may have also engaged in usurpations with official complicity.

Soneira, who previously headed the Institute of Colonization and served as Secretary of Territorial Development and Environment, is accused of "spurious awarding of four large rural properties" to business partners of her partner. The properties range from 512 to 1,250 hectares. Additionally, she is blamed for "organized provision of provincial tax benefits, industrial incentives, subsidy reimbursements, and special rates for public services to companies within her inner circle." She is also accused of influencing a decree to modify the native forest's territorial ordering, enabling rural exploitation and deforestation in areas where her husband's companies operate.