Six-Year Prison Sentences Sought for Brothers, Former Officials in Housing Program Fraud Case

Prosecutors are seeking six-year prison sentences for former officials, including ex-minister Julio De Vido, and the Schoklender brothers, who managed the "Sueños Compartidos" social housing program. The case centers on alleged fraud and irregularities that occurred between 2006 and 2011, involving the Madres de Plaza de Mayo Foundation.

Prosecutor Diego Velazco requested the maximum penalty for all involved in the alleged scheme to defraud the state. De Vido, along with former public works officials José López and Abel Fatala, and the Schoklender brothers, who were administrators for the foundation, are among those facing the harshest sentences. Velazco described the case as "a great act of corruption," not necessarily due to the amount of money, but because of the administrative structures and high-profile individuals involved.

The prosecution detailed how officials allegedly depended on each other, with Fatala needing López's authorization, and López requiring political direction from De Vido. For former provincial officials Daniel Alfredo Nasif and Silvia Karina Nasif, along with Claudio Freidin and Carlos Castellano, the prosecutor requested four-year sentences, labeling them as secondary participants.

An asset forfeiture of over 200 million pesos has been requested, representing the amount of funds allegedly diverted. This figure, identified by the General Audit Office of the Nation and accounting experts, constitutes more than 23% of the program's total funding. The accusation posits that between 2008 and 2011, agreements for building social housing were irregularly granted without public bidding, involving the Ministry of Planning's Public Works Secretariat, the Madres Foundation, and various provinces or municipalities.