The prosecutor requested three years and nine months in prison and compensation of seven million pesos for Romina Picolotti

In his final argument before the Federal Oral Tribunal 6, the prosecutor Diego Luciani asked the ex-secretary for the Environment of Néstor and Cristina Kirchner, Romina Picolotti, a conviction of three years and nine months in prison, and an economic repair of nearly seven million pesos. The former civil servant is tried for fraud to the detriment of the public administration, since between 206 and 2008 she embezzled funds from the budget of the secretariat and with them paid personal expenses of millionaires: gifts, meals, plane tickets for her, her family and friends, and even private jet rentals. The case began with an investigation by Clarin, published in 2007.

During the virtual hearing of the trial which began in February, Luciani accused Picolotti of having executed “Irrational, scandalous and gross spending” it had nothing to do with his official performance.

“There was absolutely irregular management on the part of Picolotti of public funds. It was a real fraud in the exercise of the public service. Meals or lunches were paid almost daily without justification, paid plane tickets for family and friends that they had no relationship with the secretary and expensive charter flights, ”said the prosecutor.

In addition to the prison sentence – which for more than three years would be effective if the TOF 6 validated it in its sentence – Luciani asked that Picolotti “returns” to the State 6,941,170.50 pesos for these unjustified expenses. This account responds to the updated amount of the damage suffered by the national State, according to an expert report which was rendered in the case by the prosecution. If the former secretary could not afford this disbursement, the prosecutor advised see their assets confiscated.

In his long plea, Luciani considered that “Picolotti’s conduct was very different from the values ​​of integrity and ethics that must be maintained in public administration, but also constitute a crime. There has been a discretionary abuse of the administrative power, when the civil servant has the duty to watch over the public heritage. He also highlighted the work of his colleague Guillermo Marijuan during the investigation of the case, and that of the judge Maria Servini.

“It is regrettable that all the controls of the public administration are staggered to avoid this type of deviation have completely failed, and the case of Picolotti was only revealed thanks to investigative journalism workLuciani pointed out.

As in the thirteen other hearings held since February, the defendant went virtually online to participate. In his case, it is not only a question of health prevention due to the pandemic: for years, Picolotti resides in the exclusive area of ​​Palm Beach, north of Miami.

It is precisely for this reason that, in his plea, the prosecutor warned that will request your immediate return to the country if the former official was sentenced to more than three years, the minimum limit for his effective execution. Luciani also requested the perpetual special challenge of the accused, as well as the payment of legal fees and expenses.

The trial will continue on September 15, with argument from Picolotti’s lawyer, Felipe Trucco. The court will then be able to pronounce its sentence.