14/07/2026 03:04 - Judiciales
The Argentine justice system has reached a major institutional milestone by closing one of the most emblematic judicial cases of the last few decades. More than 20 years after the explosion of the first major corruption scandal, the Federal Oral Criminal Court (TOF) N°4 in Buenos Aires sentenced former Federal Planning Minister Julio De Vido and former Public Works Secretary José López to 5 years in prison on July 13, 2026.
The verdict found the former officials guilty of passive bribery (the receipt of bribes by public officials) and fraudulent administration causing harm to the State. The same 5-year sentence fell upon Néstor Ulloa, former general manager of Nación Fideicomisos. Additionally, the court ordered a perpetual special disqualification from holding public office.
On behalf of the Swedish company Skanska, executives Mario Piantoni, Gustavo Vago, and Javier Azcárate were sentenced to 4 years in prison. Meanwhile, managers Héctor Obregón, Juan Carlos Bos, Alejandro Gerlero, and Roberto Zareba received 3-year sentences. Two individuals received suspended sentences, and 17 defendants were acquitted.
The tribunal, composed of judges Jorge Gorini and Guillermo Costabel (in a majority vote, with the dissenting vote of María Gabriela López Iñiguez), ordered the confiscation of approximately 48 million Argentine pesos (adjustable from 2005). Of this amount, 34,594,947.34 ARS correspond to the bribery charge, and 14,017,588.69 ARS to the fraud against the State.
The complete foundations of the ruling will be revealed on September 22, 2026, providing a framework of transparency and legal certainty to a process that demonstrates the long-term strength of democratic institutions.
To understand the magnitude of this case, it is necessary to look back at the Argentine political landscape of the early 2000s. The Kirchnerism was the political movement led by Néstor Kirchner and later Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. The Skanska case investigates corruption maneuvers linked to the contracting and execution of expansion works on the TGN and TGS gas pipelines between 2004 and 2006. The Swedish company Skanska, contracted for these infrastructure projects, allegedly paid bribes to officials to secure the public bids. To justify these illicit disbursements, the company simulated commercial operations with 23 other companies.
The investigation, initially triggered by a complaint from the Civic Coalition party, marked the first major scandal of the Kirchner administration. The case almost sank in 2011 when the Federal Chamber dismissed the investigated parties, but it was reactivated thanks to an audio recording recovered during a raid, in which an executive admitted to paying bribes to secure the contracts.
Prosecutor Abel Córdoba highlighted that De Vido had direct involvement from the highest echelons of the ministry. This marks his fifth conviction, although only the one related to the Once tragedy is currently final. Regarding López, the court emphasized his constant monitoring of administrative procedures and the bidding stages. Ulloa, for his part, was accused of participating in the selection of Skanska and ensuring the return of the money to the officials.
Source: El Día
Alfredo S. Quiroga
