Argentine ex-minister jailed for corruption

Published on 28/12/2012 00:00

A FORMER Argentine economy minister has been sentenced to four years in prison for corruption.

Felisa Miceli was forced to quit in 2007 when Argentine pesos and US dollars worth the combined equivalent of £32,000 were found in her office
bathroom.

Miceli was found guilty of the “aggravated cover-up” on an
illegal financial manoeuvre and obstruction of justice for getting rid of a police report about the money.

The court also ruled that Miceli will be barred from holding any public office position for eight years.

The money was found by the federal police’s explosives unit in a closet inside the office bathroom while they were inspecting the economy ministry.

Miceli served under president Cristina Fernandez’s husband and predecessor, Nestor Kirchner.

Miceli claimed her innocence and said the money had been a loan by her brother and friend to buy a property and that she had temporarily placed in her office bathroom until she could
deposit it in a bank.

“I made a mistake but now it seems like it’s a crime,” she said after sentencing.