30/06/2026 15:32 - Judiciales
Laura Daniela Schiuma, Director General of Presidential Activities at the Press Office, testified this Monday before federal prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita as part of the illicit enrichment case against Manuel Adorni. Her testimony confirmed investigators' suspicions: the then-presidential spokesperson asked to borrow her Mastercard credit card to purchase a Samsung Odyssey Oled G8 gaming monitor for 2,185,000 Argentine pesos (approximately $1,800 USD at official exchange rates).
Schiuma explained she has known Adorni for 16 years, since both worked at a Renault dealership offering savings plans. When he was appointed presidential spokesperson, he recruited her to work at Casa Rosada (Argentina's presidential palace), seeking "trusted people" to join his team.
Investigators identified at least three episodes between June and August 2025:
All products were delivered to Country Indio Cuá, located in Exaltación de la Cruz, a district about 80 kilometers north of Buenos Aires.
Schiuma stated that when her credit card statement arrived, Adorni personally reimbursed her the full amount in cash. She did not specify the origin of those funds nor provide receipts, bank transfers, or messages related to the reimbursement.
The official also detected charges rejected by the bank that she did not recognize as her own, including a Smart TV. The suspicion is that Adorni had exhausted the card's credit limit.
Regarding Adorni's assets, she claimed to be unaware of alleged investments in cryptocurrencies, money inherited from his father, or other properties. She stated she never saw him handle significant sums of dollars or pesos beyond everyday expenses.
Prosecutor Pollicita awaits a report from the General Directorate of Financial Advice in Investigations (DAFI), which would reveal the magnitude of Adorni's patrimonial inconsistencies. With this information, the Public Prosecutor's Office could request Judge Ariel Lijo to order a patrimonial justification hearing.
If the explanations do not dispel suspicions, the Justice system would summon the former Chief of Staff for formal questioning (indagatoria), requiring him to appear at the Comodoro Py federal courthouse to defend himself against formal corruption charges.
Manuel Adorni resigned on June 27, 2026 after a 775% wealth increase became public (from 20 million pesos to 944 million pesos, approximately $780,000 USD). According to statements by Matías Tabar, he paid 245,000 dollars in cash for renovations at Indio Cuá and held 500,000 dollars in undeclared cryptocurrencies. Diego Santilli was confirmed as his replacement and will be sworn in on June 30, 2026.
Source: Infobae
Alfredo S. Quiroga
