Judge María Servini reports colleague from Lomas de Zamora for threats and 'incessant' calls

A serious judicial dispute has erupted between two federal judges, María Servini and Federico Villena, with Judge Servini filing a formal complaint alleging threats and harassment. The accusations, detailed in a written statement, paint a picture of persistent and unwelcome contact, including "incessant calls" and repeated ringing of her doorbell. Servini states she felt "intimidated and harassed" by these actions, which she reported occurred over several days in mid-May.

This complaint, lodged at the Comodoro Py federal courts, has sent ripples through the judicial community. Judge Villena, known for his role in a high-profile case involving alleged illegal espionage by former officials of the Federal Intelligence Agency (AFI) during the Mauricio Macri administration, is at the center of the controversy. The case Servini is referencing, which originated in Lomas de Zamora with Villena presiding, was later transferred away from him by the La Plata Federal Chamber.

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Although I do not know the reason for such an affront, I feel it is my duty to report them [the alleged threats] as repeatedly during the days 11 and 12 of the current month of May, I have felt intimidated and harassed, not only by the messages but also by the incessant calls.

Sources close to Judge Villena have offered a different perspective. While acknowledging phone contact, they deny any uninvited visit to Servini's residence. They characterize the communications as attempts to resolve personal differences, asserting that the judges have known each other for two decades. According to these sources, the messages exchanged were even "affectionate" in tone, suggesting a significant divergence in how the interactions are perceived.

Servini has submitted evidence of the calls and suggested that these events might be connected to other ongoing cases within the jurisdiction of Judge Marcelo Martínez de Giorgi. This includes the aforementioned espionage case and another complaint filed in 2023 against Villena himself by a former prison service advisor, alleging dereliction of duty and prevarication. The situation is complex, involving personal grievances potentially intertwined with sensitive judicial matters, raising questions about judicial conduct and the pressures faced by those in high-profile positions.

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On the 13th of the current month of May, at approximately 07:00 hours, they rang the electric doorbell of my house incessantly and insistently, adding a new grievance to my tranquility.