Former Head of Argentina's Disability Agency and 34 Others Face New Corruption Probe

A significant judicial investigation is unfolding in Argentina, targeting former officials and private businessmen in a sprawling corruption case involving the National Disability Agency (Andis). Federal Judge Ariel Lijo has ordered a new inquiry into Diego Orlando Spagnuolo, the former head of Andis, along with 34 other individuals, who are accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud the state through the procurement of high-cost, low-incidence medications and medical supplies.

The alleged modus operandi involved Spagnuolo leveraging his authority to create structural conditions that facilitated the channeling of multi-million dollar state contracts to a select group of private companies. This was reportedly achieved by simulating competitive bidding processes, ultimately disadvantaging vulnerable individuals who rely on the "Incluir Salud" program for their medical coverage. The investigation, spearheaded by federal prosecutor Franco Picardi, suggests that Spagnuolo received substantial "returns" in exchange for ensuring these lucrative deals for certain businessmen.

Central to the accusations is businessman Miguel Ángel Calvete, identified as a key private facilitator of the operation. He is alleged to have funneled bribes to Spagnuolo, including significant cash payments and the settlement of personal debts. The indictment details a pattern of overpricing, bid-rigging, and bribery in tenders for items such as hearing implants, wheelchairs, cancer medications, and orthopedic prosthetics. This intricate web of corruption, reportedly active between December 2023 and October 2025, involved manipulating the integrated information system for benefits (SIIPFIS) to create parallel price-checking circuits, thereby directing contracts to favored entities. The scale of the alleged fraud underscores a deep-seated issue of corruption within public administration and its devastating impact on those who depend on state services.