Prosecutor finds no unjustified gain in office
Federal prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita has determined that the investigation into former Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni cannot be sustained on the charge of illicit enrichment. In his assessment, the evidence gathered did not establish that Adorni's assets grew without explanation during his time in public service, despite the questions raised about irregularities in his sworn financial declarations.[S1][S2]
The case had been built around those declarations, which were the basis for imputing the former official. Pollicita's conclusion narrows the matter considerably: rather than an allegation of unexplained wealth accumulated while holding office, what remains is a question about his fiscal conduct, which the prosecutor argues belongs in a different court.[S1]
Request to move the file to economic courts
Pollicita asked that the proceedings be sent to the national economic criminal jurisdiction so that a court there can be assigned at random to take over. In his written opinion he invoked article 35 of the national criminal procedure code to argue that the current forum lacks competence over the subject matter, and he requested a formal declaration to that effect.[S1]
The purpose of the transfer, according to the prosecutor, is to allow a deeper examination of the former official's tax situation under the suspected offense of tax evasion. The decision now rests with Judge Ariel Lijo, who must rule on whether the case leaves the current court and moves to the economic criminal system.[S1][S2]
