Argentina's vice president in court in corruption case
6/9/2014 6:07:34 PM
Argentina's Vice President Amado Boudou went before a judge Monday for questioning about alleged influence-peddling in the acquisition of a company with a monopoly to print the national currency.
The case, which marks the first time a sitting Argentine vice president has been taken to court, stems from a transaction in 2010 when Boudou was the country's economy minister.
Arriving at the court amid a swarm of photographers, Boudou said he was at peace with himself and had come "to tell the truth."
Federal judge Ariel Lijo is investigating whether Boudou acquired Ciccone Calcografica through associates to negotiate sweetheart contracts with the state and the ruling party to print money and official documents.
Prosecutors suspect that Boudou, the first of seven people to be questioned, "took advantage of his condition as a public official" to favor the company, according to the summons issued for him to appear.
Once all seven suspects are deposed, the judge will have 10 days to decide whether to proceed to a trial.
Boudou made a last minute request on Monday to answer the court's questions on camera. The court had previously rejected a request that the hearing be transmitted on live television.
"It would be very good to have transparency and visibility in this case, which has been much talked about," said Jorge Capitanich, President Cristina Kirchner's chief of staff.
"It is an excellent opportunity for the public to learn of all the reasons and for the judiciary and a judge to act without pressures of any kind," he said.
Boudou, 51, is a flamboyant Peronist politician who plays electric guitar and drives motorcycles.
He served as economy minister during Kirchner's first term, and then was elected vice president in 2011 as her running-mate.
The case, which marks the first time a sitting Argentine vice president has been taken to court, stems from a transaction in 2010 when Boudou was the country's economy minister.
Arriving at the court amid a swarm of photographers, Boudou said he was at peace with himself and had come "to tell the truth."
Federal judge Ariel Lijo is investigating whether Boudou acquired Ciccone Calcografica through associates to negotiate sweetheart contracts with the state and the ruling party to print money and official documents.
Prosecutors suspect that Boudou, the first of seven people to be questioned, "took advantage of his condition as a public official" to favor the company, according to the summons issued for him to appear.
Once all seven suspects are deposed, the judge will have 10 days to decide whether to proceed to a trial.
Boudou made a last minute request on Monday to answer the court's questions on camera. The court had previously rejected a request that the hearing be transmitted on live television.
"It would be very good to have transparency and visibility in this case, which has been much talked about," said Jorge Capitanich, President Cristina Kirchner's chief of staff.
"It is an excellent opportunity for the public to learn of all the reasons and for the judiciary and a judge to act without pressures of any kind," he said.
Boudou, 51, is a flamboyant Peronist politician who plays electric guitar and drives motorcycles.
He served as economy minister during Kirchner's first term, and then was elected vice president in 2011 as her running-mate.