Pagano Denounces Caputo Over 4 Trillion Pesos; Minister Vows Defamation Suit
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Argentine lawmaker Marcela Pagano filed a criminal complaint against Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Central Bank President Santiago Bausili.
- Pagano accuses them of the alleged irregular management of nearly 4 trillion pesos from the Treasury.
- Caputo denied the allegations, stating the funds are traceable, and announced a defamation lawsuit against Pagano.
Argentine legislator Marcela Pagano has filed a criminal complaint against Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Central Bank President Santiago Bausili, accusing them of the alleged irregular handling of nearly 4 trillion pesos (approximately $4 billion USD) belonging to the Treasury. Pagano claims these public funds lack a publicly traceable destination.
Nearly 4 trillion pesos of public funds are left without a publicly traceable destination. The Central Bank President's response? 'They are somewhere.' That's not enough. Argentines' money is not lost, not hidden, and not managed in a black box. Now they will have to explain in court where every peso was, who gave the order, and who benefited. The impunity of offices is over.
Pagano took to social media platform X to voice her accusations, stating, "Nearly 4 trillion pesos of public funds are left without a publicly traceable destination. The Central Bank President's response? 'They are somewhere.' That's not enough. Argentines' money is not lost, not hidden, and not managed in a black box. Now they will have to explain in court where every peso was, who gave the order, and who benefited. The impunity of offices is over."
Economy Minister Luis Caputo quickly responded on X, asserting that the money is publicly traceable and announcing his intention to file a lawsuit for defamation and slander against Pagano. "Whatever you have to pay me, I will donate to a public benefit institution," Caputo stated.
Whatever you have to pay me, I will donate to a public benefit institution.
President Javier Milei weighed in on the dispute by reposting Caputo's tweet, calling Pagano a "serial liar" and a "scum" because she is a journalist. Pagano retaliated, calling Caputo a "thief," "idiot," "scoundrel," and "lackey." She accused him of past financial improprieties and of manipulating the deficit by moving funds. She challenged him to sue her, vowing to ensure he faces legal consequences for defrauding the country.
Serial liar. No surprise the scum she is, as she is a journalist.
Pagano also attacked Milei, labeling him a "thief," "pathological liar," and "cheap henchman of the caste." She criticized his economic policies, claiming he ruined businesses, manipulated inflation data, impoverished the middle class, and is a pawn of the establishment. She questioned where the gold and the 4 trillion pesos are, implying Caputo has not answered the core of her accusation.
You stole gold during Mauricio Macri's presidency. I discovered you as a low-level currency dealer (I reported it in Clarรญn) and now you are exposed, doctoring the deficit by moving funds. Come and sue me as many times as you want: I will make sure you end up behind bars for defrauding and scamming an entire country in two administrations.
Originally published by La Naciรณn in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.