Witness implicates ex-minister Ricardo Jaime in bribery case

A former official in Argentina's Ministry of Transportation provided testimony that implicated former minister Ricardo Jaime in the "Cuadernos de las Coimas" (Notebooks of Bribes) corruption case. Ricardo Alberto Cirielli, a historical leader of the Aeronautical Technical Personnel Association (APTA) and a former transportation official under Néstor Kirchner, described Jaime's dramatic shift in lifestyle.

“

He was dressed so-so. Pants of one color, the jacket of another. He had come from Cordoba, I think by bus. He seemed humble.

Cirielli recalled Jaime's transformation from a seemingly humble individual in 2003 to someone who wore luxury suits and was nicknamed "the lord of the rings" for his ostentatious jewelry. He testified that Jaime would frequently travel with a large, heavy leather bag, approximately 70 to 80 centimeters long, which he would take in an elevator to meet with a figure referred to as "the bad one." Cirielli speculated that the bag might have contained more than just documents.

“

The change was noticeable. From dressing so-so to appearing in luxury suits.

The witness also recounted how Jaime's private secretary expressed concern about being sent to the bank with a bag full of small-denomination bills to exchange them for larger ones. Cirielli described Jaime as a difficult and abusive person, citing an instance where Jaime allegedly forbade a Peruvian waiter from serving him due to his ethnicity. Cirielli stated that workers complained about Jaime's mistreatment, and once he lost power, employees began sharing details of his alleged misconduct, including the purchase of a yacht.

“

It was a leather bag, 70 or 80 centimeters. Heavy, you could tell when he put it in the elevator. I don't think he carried files, maybe.

Cirielli's relationship with Jaime deteriorated after an anonymous note accusing the secretary of soliciting bribes reached the Ministry. Following advice from the legal department, Cirielli reported the incident to the SIGEN and the Anti-Corruption Office. He felt his tenure in the Kirchner government ended when Jaime changed the lock on his office after Néstor Kirchner's term concluded.

“

He was quite abusive.