A group of Argentine lawmakers is preparing to take legal action against Eduardo Taiano, the prosecutor in charge of the Libra investigation, after newly disclosed information revealed deeper ties between President Javier Milei and Mauricio Novelli, an associate behind the token's launch.
Two Complaints Against the Prosecutor: Obstruction and Cover-Up
The congressional commission that investigated the Libra event is launching two complaints against Prosecutor Taiano. The first complaint accuses him of obstructing Congress's work by rejecting a request to force government officials to clarify their links to the token and by denying the commission access to recently unsealed case files. The second complaint is more severe: it alleges that Taiano deliberately covered up evidence to protect President Milei, his sister Karian Milei, and other individuals connected to the presidential circle.
Maximiliano Ferraro, former president of the commission, directly labeled President Milei as the "protagonist and necessary participant" of the Libra launch, calling it "a multi-million-dollar act of corruption and misappropriation of the presidential office." On social media, he stated: "There was direct coordination between fringe operators within the crypto world and the President of the Nation’s inner circle, who leveraged his office and power to promote the cryptocurrency in exchange for payments amounting to millions."
Demands for Disclosure and Interrogation of Top Officials
Ferraro also called for President Milei, his sister Karina, former Chief of Staff of Advisors Demian Reidel, and advisor Santiago Caputo to disclose their communications with Mauricio Novelli on the day of the Libra launch. Additionally, lawmakers will push for the interpellation of Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni and Secretary Karina Milei.
All signs indicate that the case is at a breaking point, with Prosecutor Taiano at the center of the storm. Earlier, investigators recovered a draft of a $5 million economic agreement from a seized phone, which allegedly sought to secure President Milei's support for the Libra token.
Background and Implications of the Escalation
This escalation marks a significant intensification of the investigation into the cryptocurrency scandal that has rocked Argentine politics. The Libra incident, involving allegations of presidential involvement, has become one of the most contentious political scandals in recent Argentine history. Lawmakers believe that the prosecutor's inaction is effectively shielding the president from legal accountability, prompting congressional pressure to move the probe forward.
President Milei has not publicly commented on the matter. Analysts suggest that with fresh evidence emerging and the congressional probe accelerating, the Milei administration will face mounting political pressure, potentially triggering formal judicial proceedings.