Adorni and Pagano Clash Over Expenses and Travel

A political dispute has erupted in Argentina between Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni and National Deputy Marcela Pagano, centering on allegations of improper spending and the financing of travel, including his wife’s presence on an official trip to Latest York. Pagano has publicly accused Adorni of corruption and presented claims regarding his and his wife’s expenses.

Allegations of Illicit Enrichment

Deputy Marcela Pagano has accused Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni of “illicit enrichment,” alleging discrepancies between his declared income and his spending. According to Pagano, Adorni spent approximately $30 million pesos (Argentine currency) on credit card purchases between December and January, whereas his declared income for the same period was around $10 million pesos. Mendovoz reports that Pagano claims to possess records of Adorni’s credit card expenses.

Wife’s Expenses Under Scrutiny

Pagano further alleges that Adorni’s wife, Bettina Angeletti, spent $28 million pesos during the same two-month period, with no corresponding income reported through the government’s ARCA (Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero) system. Mendovoz

Travel Expenses and Justifications

The controversy extends to Adorni’s travel expenses, including a private flight to Punta del Este, reportedly costing between US$10,000 and US$12,000 during Carnival. Pagano questioned the justification for this expense, noting conflicting accounts regarding who paid for the flight. Mendovoz

New York Trip and Wife’s Presence

Adorni and his wife’s trip to New York has also drawn criticism. Angeletti accompanied Adorni on the official trip and traveled on the presidential plane, lodging in the same hotel as the official delegation. La Nación reports that Adorni defended his wife’s presence, stating she was there to support him and assist with his work. Both Marcela Pagano and lawyer Gregorio Dalbón have filed criminal complaints against Adorni regarding this trip, alleging malversation of public funds, fraud against the public administration, abuse of authority, and violation of duties of a public official. La Nación, Ambito

Pagano’s Defense and AI Image Controversy

Pagano has defended herself against criticism following the circulation of an image on social media depicting Adorni and his wife shopping at a Prada store in New York. She clarified that the image was created using artificial intelligence and was intended as a satirical illustration of her concerns regarding the official’s surroundings. El Intransigente. She emphasized that she never claimed the image was authentic.

Political Context

Pagano, a former member of La Libertad Avanza, has criticized her former party, accusing them of deceiving their electorate. She alleges that those now engaging in questionable practices, such as private plane travel, are the very individuals who campaigned against the “castes” they now embody.