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A federal court in Buenos Aires opened hearings Thursday in a major corruption trial that puts former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and nearly 90 other defendants on trial over an alleged bribery network tied to public works contracts.
Prosecutors allege an illicit scheme embedded in the state solicited and received payments from construction firms during the presidencies of Néstor Kirchner (2003–2007) and Fernández de Kirchner (2007–2015). The indictment alleges at least 200 cash deliveries took place between 2009 and 2011.
The case is built around eight handwritten notebooks allegedly kept by Oscar Centeno, the chauffeur for Roberto Baratta, the top aide to then-Planning Minister Julio De Vido. The notebooks reportedly detail dates, addresses, amounts, and the officials and intermediaries involved in moving bags of cash.
The investigation became public in August 2018 after Centeno’s notebooks were provided to journalists at La Nación, who cross-checked key entries and characters before turning photocopies over to judicial authorities.
Federal prosecutor Fabiana León, who is leading the case, has highlighted its scale: dozens of current or former officials, business executives from major contractors, and hundreds of expected witnesses. The trial could last up to two years.
Federal prosecutor Fabiana León, who is leading the case, has highlighted its scale: dozens of current or former officials, business executives from major contractors, and hundreds of expected witnesses. The trial could last up to two years.
Fernández de Kirchner, accused of leading the alleged illicit association, is already serving a six-year sentence under house arrest in a separate public-works case known as Vialidad. A conviction in the notebook trial could add prison time.
Her legal team has asked the court to dismiss the case, submitting expert reports that claim Centeno’s writings were altered and arguing that cooperating executives were pressured to testify.
Fernández de Kirchner has repeatedly framed the prosecution as politically motivated. After a June 2025 Supreme Court ruling against her, she told supporters: “They’re three puppets answering to those ruling far above them. It’s not the opposition. It’s the concentrated economic power of Argentina’s government.” She later reiterated the claim on X.
Business executives slated to testify include Juan Carlos De Goycoechea, former head of the construction firm Isolux, who surrendered and admitted making payments to Kirchnerist campaigns; Ángelo Calcaterra, a cousin of former President Mauricio Macri, who confessed to bribery and became a cooperating witness; and Jorge Guillermo Neira of Electroingeniería, who was released after acknowledging financing electoral campaigns.
Political defendants include former Planning Minister De Vido, his aide Baratta, and former Cabinet chief Juan Manuel Abal Medina, who has said Baratta collected business donations for the 2013 legislative race. Centeno himself was accepted as a cooperating witness and is under protection.
Reacting to the same ruling, President Javier Milei posted on X: “Justice. End. PS: The Republic is functioning, and all the corrupt journalists, accomplices of lying politician$, have been exposed in their operetta$ about the supposed pact of impunity.”
