Lazaro Baez, a businessman who was believed to be connected to the past Argentine presidents, Nestor Kirchner and his wife, Cristina Fernandez, refused to testify in the money laundering case filed against him.
Baez refuted to appear in Buenos Aires court and instead, sent a letter addressed to Judge Sebastian Casanello, The San Diego Union Tribune reported. According to an anonymous top court officer, Baez is avoiding questions pertaining to the money laundering case. It is uncertain what would happen to Baez since Argentine judges could detain anyone during an investigation, who would be considered a flight risk. The businessman was set to testify in court on Thursday; but after his arrest on Tuesday, no details yet were released for his next court hearing.
Baez was tied to a money laundering case after he was suspected of getting huge public work contracts during the term of the ex-presidents, Kirchner and Fernandez, according to ABC News Go. He was charged with embezzling and laundering large amount of money amounting to $5 million. The money laundering case started in 2013 after a journalistic investigation revealed that he was Kirchner's figurehead. Baez was suspected of using companies to launder money that reportedly went to Kirchner.
Baez's money laundering case is one of the biggest examples of corruption surrounding the South American nations, Herald Courier reports. Argentina surpassed Latin American countries that have a long track of record on graft and corruption. It ranks 107 out of 167 based on Transparency International's annual corruption index in 2015. Baez's link to Fernandez had long been suspected.
Based on reports, Fernandez's family owns hotels in the province of Sta. Cruz that are often empty. The Kirchner family hotels are also not earning well enough contrary to their declarations. Since Fernanadez assumed the office as the president of Argentina, she was never charged on any money laundering case due to her alleged power. However, authorities believe that she must be investigated. Baez's case is one of the high-profile investigations ongoing in the country after the current president, Mauricio Macri, promised to crack down on the longtime corruption.
