29/06/2026 15:04 - Judiciales
Federal judge Luis Armella ruled on June 29, 2026 to prohibit Martín Insaurralde and Jesica Cirio from leaving the country, while rejecting the detention request filed by prosecutor Sergio Mola in a case investigating alleged illicit enrichment and money laundering.
The decision follows the release of videos recorded in 2023 showing bundles of US dollars in a walk-in closet at a private residence in San Vicente, a wealthy suburb south of Buenos Aires. Investigators estimate the amount displayed at approximately ten million dollars.
| # | Argument | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Video not analyzed | The video evidence has not yet been examined by forensic experts (DATIP). The judge ordered technical analysis to determine if the footage was altered or manipulated, including possible use of artificial intelligence. |
| 2Video predates investigation | The prosecutor himself stated the video likely dates from 2023, potentially before the case began and before the property raids in San Vicente were conducted. | |
| 3 | Cooperative conduct | Both defendants have remained at the disposal of the court, complied with all requests, and followed restrictions imposed since October 2023. |
| 4 | Charges against Cirio lack basis | The prosecution never identified a specific offense or legal classification for Cirio. No formal questioning was requested for three years. |
| 5 | Flawed prosecution filing | The judge found the prosecutor's motion presented "serious foundational defects" that could render it arbitrary or void. |
Case FLP 38935/2023 investigates Martín Insaurralde for:
Investigation period: 2009 to 2023
Instead of detention, the judge ordered:
Martín Insaurralde: Former mayor of Lomas de Zamora (a large district in Buenos Aires Province). He resigned in 2023 after photos surfaced showing him on a yacht in the Mediterranean with Sofía Clerici, a young model.
Jesica Cirio: Famous Argentine model and television host. She closed her Instagram account after the videos showing dollars went viral on social media.
Elías Piccirillo: Financial operator, Cirio's former partner after her divorce from Insaurralde. He is currently under house arrest in a separate case.
Illicit enrichment is a crime in Argentina where public officials cannot justify their wealth relative to their legitimate income. Money laundering involves concealing the origins of illegally obtained money.
Next steps: The judge ordered forensic analysis of the video, on-site inspection of the San Vicente property, records of all entries and exits to the gated community since 2022, and subpoenas for two former domestic workers and accountant Walter de la Fuente from Sasaxa Libero SA, the registered owner of the property.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
