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Ariel Lijo Takes Over ANDIS Graft Case, Set to Rule on Spagnuolo’s Nullity Bid

His assignment follows the processing of 19 suspects over an alleged kickbacks and overpricing scheme at the disability agency.

Overview

  • The Federal Chamber selected Judge Ariel Lijo to subrogate Federal Court No. 11, where he will inherit the ANDIS investigation still delegated to prosecutor Franco Picardi.
  • Lijo must address defense motions seeking to void the proceedings and comply with a court order to examine viral audio recordings attributed to Diego Spagnuolo.
  • On February 9, Judge Sebastián Casanello processed Spagnuolo without pretrial detention for alleged illicit association, bribery, fraud against the state, and incompatible dealings, bringing the total processed to 19.
  • Casanello imposed an asset embargo on Spagnuolo exceeding 202 million pesos, ordered new depositions, and cautioned that the scheme may involve broader complicities.
  • A government audit covering December 2023 to August 2025—detailing steered tenders, overpricing, weak controls, and a parallel supplier registry—was central to the case, while the audios were not used as evidence in the processing.