former Deputyโฃ and Doctor Settle Case Over Prioritized Vaccineโค Access
Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina โฃ- A formerโ deputy and a local doctor โฃhaveโค agreed too pay a combined $4 millionโ to the Zonal Hospital of Esquel, effectively โขclosingโฃ a case โstemming from โallegations of improper โขaccess toโฃ the Sputnik โV COVID-19 vaccine. The resolution, issued Monday by the Federal Oral Court of Comodoro Rivadavia and signed by โJudgesโ Enrique Baronetto,โ Ana Marรญa D’Alessio, andโค Cabral, โฃwill resultโ in the dismissal of charges against both individuals upon full payment.Dr. Igรณn, a former deputy,โค was accused ofโค “giftโ acceptance” โafter receiving the โคvaccine when it โwas initially reserved for healthcare personnel.Bionndo, who โserved as head โof the Epidemiology area at the time,โ faced charges โขfor allegedly โauthorizing the inoculation.
The defense argued for โeconomic reparation, valuingโฃ the payment atโฃ the current cost of โคthe vaccine โand asserting that while the state was affected, no individuals suffered direct harm. They also โคhighlighted โคthe potential for unnecessary legal expenses associated withโค a full trial, and the likelihood of any conviction resulting inโ a conditional sentenceโฃ given the defendants’ cleanโ criminal records.
Courtโค documents reveal that Dr. Igรณn had โขpre-existing health conditions – โdiabetes and obesity – which wouldโ have qualified him for vaccination โshortly after the date โคhe received the dose.
The judges ultimately agreed with the defense’s proposal, citing the benefits of “alternative, effective and peaceful” economic reparation, especially when โฃdirected towards public health โฃresources like โthe Esquel hospital.
While Attorney โGeneral Teodoro Nรผrnberg initially opposed โขthe settlement during a July 30 preliminary hearing,โ arguing that such โagreements are inappropriate for public officials, โฃthe court sidedโข with the defense.
The case will be officially closed once theโ $4 million payment – $3 million from Dr.Igรณn and $1 million from Bionndo – is completed.