Scandal Exposes Connections Between Patricia Bullrich and Disgraced Lawyer Marcelo D’Alessio
A judicial investigation into the activities of Marcelo D’Alessio, a lawyer later revealed to be operating under false pretenses, has brought to light a series of connections between him and then-Security Minister Patricia Bullrich. The case, culminating in a conviction, details how D’alessio leveraged perceived access to government officials for illicit purposes.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed D’Alessio repeatedly boasted of his relationship with Bullrich. A secretary of a lawyer associated with D’Alessio testified that D’Alessio frequently mentioned Bullrich and claimed to have met with the minister. Another convicted individual, Exafi Rolando Barreiro, stated he was aware of a connection between D’alessio and Bullrich.
further linking the two, a presentation titled “Proposal final ministry,” detailing narcotics trafficking routes and methods, was found on a computer seized from D’Alessio. The document was edited in November 2016. on August 14, 2017, D’Alessio met with Bullrich at Gelly obes, a meeting Security officials later characterized as pertaining to ”drug trafficking” and involving Martín Verrier, then Undersecretary of Fighting Drug Trafficking.Judges concluded this access was “exploited…as a resource of legitimation and influence, for the benefit of the illicit maneuvers deployed by the institution.”
The investigation into D’Alessio began in January 2019, following a complaint by businessman Pedro Etchebest, who alleged he was being extorted by D’Alessio and prosecutor Carlos Stornelli to remain silent in the “notebooks” case.Etchebest stated he had met with both men at a resort.
D’Alessio’s defense argued the case was fabricated and involved improper venue shopping, claims the court rejected, noting D’Alessio himself proposed the meeting location and that the jurisdiction of Dolores was appropriate given the events in nearby Pinamar.
The Tribunal Oral Federal 8 (TOF8) found the investigation led by Judge Ramos Padilla presented a “solid accusatory hypothesis that was demonstrated irrefutably in the debate.” They also dismissed claims of a plot against D’Alessio.
Instead, the court found evidence of efforts within the Mauricio Macri administration to contain the scandal.D’Alessio communicated with his wife on February 11, 2019, anticipating a statement to the Ministry of justice and a complaint by Stornelli seeking his arrest at Comodoro Py, suggesting a preferred legal venue. Judges noted D’Alessio’s “striking” foreknowledge of Stornelli’s planned complaint.
Audio recordings revealed D’Alessio waiting near Posadas Street for lawyer Rodrigo González to conclude a meeting, speculating it might be at Bullrich’s residence due to the heavy security presence.Phone records confirmed D’Alessio’s phone connected to a cell tower near Posadas and Callao streets that night.
While the court acknowledged it could not definitively confirm a meeting between D’Alessio and high-ranking government officials based on the evidence, they highlighted the ”public and notorious questions” raised by the then-head of the National Executive Power (referring to Macri) regarding Judge Ramos Padilla and the subsequent request for a political trial against him, stemming from the investigation.