Ex-president Alberto Fernández and former first lady Fabiola Yáñez are the subject of a new criminal complaint after reports emerged of an alleged “party” held aboard the Tango 01 presidential aircraft during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fernández and Yáñez are already under investigation by the courts for another alleged party they held at the Olivos presidential residence to mark the first lady’s birthday in July 2020, an infamous gathering known colloquially as ‘Olivos-gate.’
The fresh complaint was filed by lawyer Ignacio Barrios against “those who may be responsible.” It comes after journalist Luis Gasulla revealed details of two events allegedly held on July 14 and August 10, 2020, amid strict restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Barrios denounced “public officials and, where applicable, private individuals who knowingly provided assistance, used the former presidential aircraft T-01 – then stationed at El Palomar [Airport] – and/or work, services, personnel, transport, energy, equipment or funds paid for by the national public administration to organise or support private gatherings.”
Gasulla reported on the LN+ news channel that Yáñez allegedly used the presidential aircraft on the afternoon of July 14, 2020, the same day as the controversial Olivos party, to hold a celebration.
According to the complaint filed with the local courts, which was seen by the Noticias Argentinas news agency, preparations for the event took place “over three days” and included the provision or transport of an aircraft staircase, the connection of a generator or ground power unit, the powering up of the cabin, refrigerators, catering, cake, sushi or salmon, alcoholic drinks, music and the assignment of aviation personnel.
The main people named in the complaint are Yáñez, Fernández and Leonardo Barone, a former presidential pilot and former director of logistics at the General Secretariat of the Presidency.
Although then-president Fernandez did not reportedly attend the event, he allegedly played a role in authorising the use of Tango 01 and organising the gathering. It was also allegedly funded through a petty cash fund belonging to the General Secretariat.
Another gathering allegedly took place aboard the presidential aircraft on August 10, 2020, again while the plane was stationed at El Palomar. Friends of Yáñez are said to have attended, although no further details were provided.
Although the journalist said photographs and videos exist that confirm the events, the complaint noted that “those files were not published with their native formats, metadata, provenance or chain of custody.”
In his filing, Barrios said the aim was for “the competent authorities to confirm or rule out, through state documentation, technical records, witnesses and independent expert examinations, the existence of each episode, the respective chain of orders, the actual use of public resources, knowledge of their intended purpose and the individual involvement of each person.”
– TIMES/NA
