Romina Picolotti’s discharge before verdict known to have used public funds for personal expenses

The former secretary of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Kirchnérisme, Romina Picolotti, said he didn’t commit “no offense“for his defense before the verdict of the court is known, this Monday at 4:00 pm. for the use of public funds for personal expenses.

Picolotti is on trial for fraud to the detriment of the public administration, since between 2006 and 2008 She embezzled money from the budget of the secretariat she headed and with them paid millionaire personal expenses: gifts, meals, plane tickets for herself, her family and friends, and even the rental of jets. private. The case began with an investigation by Clarin, published in 2007.

“I deeply regret that the State has spent 14 years of resources, especially the time of the magistrates present here, for what is obvious, that I did not commit any crime”, declared Picolotti this Monday morning before the Federal Oral Court 6 connected via Zoom from Miami, in the United States, where he has resided since 2015.

The former Environment Secretary has requested a three-year and nine-month prison sentence by trial prosecutor Diego Luciani and the verdict will be delivered by judges Sabrina Namer, Rodrigo Giménez Uriburu and Guillermo Costabel.

The prosecution also asserted in closing argument that repay the state nearly seven million pesos. Meanwhile, the accused’s lawyer, Felipe Trucco, requested an acquittal.

The final trial hearing began around 8 a.m. – virtually – with Picolotti logged in from Miami with some audio and image issues.

However, the court first heard from prosecutor Luciani, who rejected cancellations requested by the defense, who insisted on his acquittal.

Then it was the turn of Picolotti, who He reiterated that “there is no evidence” against him.

“I am accused of having signed the expenses and there is not even a calligraphic expertise, nor an accountant. Fourteen years is an absolutely unreasonable delay for a cause, ”he complained.

“The only thing I ask of this Court, and which I asked 14 years ago, is that the law be applied in an objective and impartial manner, which leads to my acquittal,” he said. concluded.

Picolotti managed the Environment portfolio between 2006 and 2008, first in the government of Nestor then in that of Cristina Kirchner.

Its Secretariat depended, at the time, the chief of staff who was in charge of the current president, Alberto Fernández.

Picolotti is accused of having paid illegal expenses with the petty cash, from sushi to private flights.

During the oral trial, she was prosecuted for the alleged crimes of “fraud to the detriment of public administration” in a case which was dealt with by the Federal Court of María Servini, and which investigated the alleged use of funds. public for private expenditure.

With information from Telam