Argentina: Ex-Official Probed for Hurling Cash over Convent Walls

Lopez said he was planning to donate the money to the convent, but some are raising questions about possible corruption due to his connection with ex-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Reuters reported.

Police were called early Tuesday morning after Lopez was heard throwing the bags of money over the wall. When police arrived, they found Lopez hiding in the convent kitchen, having told the nuns that “they are going to steal from me. Because I stole the money to come and help here,” the Financial Times reported.

The BBC reported that police detained Lopez for illegal possession of a rifle, but then found wads of money in the bags, along with some high-end watches. Lopez, who is now is now being held on suspicion of money laundering, also tried to bribe a police officer, Reuters said. The Financial Times said the bribe offered was US$ 1 million.

Presidential cabinet chief Marcos Pena called the situation “almost out of a movie,” saying Lopez was not a minor official, but led public works, “where we saw so much daily corruption.” Overall, the amount of money recovered was around US$ 9 million, consisting of US dollars, Euros, Japanese Yen, and Qatari Riyal, the Financial Times said.

The Washington Post wrote that Lopez had been close to Kirchner and her late husband Nestor since the 1990s. He managed thousands of public works projects under the presidential administrations of both Kirchners. Several of Cristina Kirchner’s ministers now face allegations of corruption, but Lopez said that all the projects were done through public tender.

Cristina Kirchner was included with several other officials last month on charges that they manipulated the Central Bank during her administration.  She says the charges are part of a witch hunt by her successor.

Lopez was moved to a hospital on Tuesday after suffering from what his lawyer says is a “psychotic episode.” Seen wearing a bulletproof vest and a helmet as he was escorted by police, Lopez was “hearing voices, is delirious and is suffering from panic attacks”, according to his lawyer.