Argentina’s ‘Notebooks of Bribes’ Case Faces Scrutiny as Defendants Allege Coercion

Buenos Aires – Argentina’s sprawling corruption case, known as the “Notebooks of Bribes” (Cuadernos de las Coimas), is facing renewed scrutiny as several defendants allege coercion and manipulation during the investigation led by former Judge Claudio Bonadio and prosecutor Carlos Stornelli. The case, involving accusations of a systematic bribery scheme during the Kirchner administrations (2003-2015), has ensnared numerous high-profile figures, including former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Key Allegations of Coercion

Several individuals who initially collaborated with authorities as “arrepentidos” (repentant ones) have since come forward claiming their testimonies were obtained under duress. These allegations center around a pattern of prolonged detention, psychological pressure, and threats of continued imprisonment unless they implicated others, particularly Kirchner.

• Carlos Wagner: The former president of the Cámara de la Construcción (Construction Chamber) testified in 2018 that former Minister of Planning Julio De Vido and Cristina Kirchner were aware of payments collected by Roberto Baratta, a former secretary, as detailed in the notebooks. Wagner’s lawyer, Zenon Ceballos, argued the context of the statement was “an orgy of persecution and terror,” comparing Judge Bonadio’s behavior to that of the mafia.
• Armando Loson: Loson’s lawyer, Ricardo Gil Lavedra, asserted that his client was “introduced” into the process and that mentions of Loson in the notebooks were the result of alterations and deletions made by individuals other than Oscar Centeno, the driver who kept the notebooks.
• Other Businessmen: Oscar Sansiseña, William School, and Mario Rovella, who did not accept the “accused collaborator” status, submitted statements to a notary public denying the veracity of their initial testimonies given to the Bonadio court.

The Notebooks and Forensic Analysis

The case originated with the discovery of eight notebooks kept by Oscar Centeno, detailing alleged payments made by businessmen to government officials in exchange for public works contracts. Although, forensic analysis conducted by the Gendarmerie and Federal Police in August 2025 revealed over 1,100 corrections, alterations, and deletions within the notebooks. This led to the prosecution of Jorge Bacigalupo, a friend of Centeno, for forging the notebooks and intervening in the amendments.

Prosecutorial Response and Ongoing Legal Battles

Prosecutor Fabiana Leon dismissed the defendants’ claims of coercion, arguing that simply invoking precautionary measures or personal impact from accusations does not constitute valid grounds for overturning collaboration agreements. She emphasized that the law stipulates penalties for “maliciously providing false information” and that the initial recognition of facts in the notebooks remains valid.

The judges are currently deliberating on preliminary objections raised by the defense and will subsequently set a schedule for hearing the accused. The case, considered the largest corruption trial in Argentina’s history, is expected to be decided in 2027, an election year.

Recent Developments and Political Context

The case continues to be highly politicized. President Javier Milei recently predicted that Cristina Kirchner will be convicted in this case, similar to her conviction in the Vialidad case. Mariano Cúneo Libarona, who recently resigned as head of Justice in Milei’s government, previously expressed concerns about the pressure to implicate others during the investigation.

The integrity of the evidence and the methods used to obtain testimonies remain central to the legal proceedings, raising fundamental questions about due process and the pursuit of justice in Argentina.