Ex-official alleges Kirchnerist financing of anti-Pro campaign

Sergio Schoklender, a key figure in the Madres de Plaza de Mayo Foundation's social housing program Sueños Compartidos, has testified in a trial concerning alleged financial irregularities. Schoklender sought to distance himself from the misuse of funds, claiming the program was managed impeccably and that he personally invested significant resources, including two airplanes, to sustain it.

During his testimony, Schoklender pointed fingers at various former Kirchnerist officials and the late foundation president, Hebe de Bonafini. He specifically accused Aníbal Fernández of financing a lawyer to create a "denunciation factory" targeting Pro party leaders. Schoklender also implicated Amado Boudou in the alleged diversions.

Schoklender, who served as the foundation's representative during the period under investigation, is accused along with his brother Pablo of diverting over 23% of the housing program's budget, a sum exceeding 200 million pesos at the time. He is linked to a network of companies, including Meldorek SA, which he acquired a majority stake in and which purchased luxury vehicles like a Ferrari.

He acknowledged making two mistakes: initially involving politically committed professionals who were unaccustomed to working within project constraints, and later delegating work to social organizations that acted as intermediaries, leading to issues, including one with the clan led by Emerenciano Sena in Chaco. Schoklender defended the project's national scope, explaining the necessity of handling large sums of cash in areas with limited banking access.