
Argentine ex-president Fernandez ordered to stand trial for graft
The 66-year-old stands accused of fraudulent administration over his government's use of brokers -- one of whom allegedly had ties to his office -- to contract insurance policies that could have been negotiated directly.
The main broker was allegedly the husband of Fernandez's personal secretary.
Fernandez did not seek reelection after serving a single term, handing the keys of the presidential palace to self-described "anarcho-capitalist" President Javier Milei in December 2023.
The corruption allegations emerged when a court ordered an examination of his secretary's phone while investigating assault claims made against Fernandez by his ex-partner Fabiola Yanez.
Yanez filed a complaint accusing Fernandez of having beaten her during their relationship, which ended after he left office.
He faces a separate trial on charges of domestic abuse.
The graft case involves policies taken out with Nacion Seguros, the insurance arm of state-owned Banco Nacion, which Fernandez chose to cover government departments against various types of risks.
Casanello ordered a freeze on about $10 million of Fernandez's assets, according to Thursday's ruling.
Fernandez's leftist Peronist movement, which dominated Argentine politics for most of the country's post-war history, has been dogged by allegations of corruption.
Ex-president Cristina Kirchner, another senior Peronist, is serving a six-year sentence under house arrest after being convicted of fraud involving public works contracts awarded during her two terms.
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