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Court Charges Día Argentina in Social Security Evasion Probe With ARS 800 Million Asset Freeze

The case now moves into deeper fact-finding with potential ripple effects for franchise models in retail.

Overview

  • Día Argentina was charged by the National Economic Criminal Court No. 2, led by Judge Pablo Yadarola, which also ordered an ARS 800 million asset freeze.
  • The order lists 34 alleged acts spanning 2015 to 2018, covering simple and aggravated social security evasion with monthly sums cited above ARS 7 million and ARS 14 million.
  • Investigators say the company used franchise, concession and consignment contracts to hide the true employer and avoid social security payments across 1,072 supposed franchisees and 13,690 workers.
  • Evidence the judge cited includes labor and tax data checks, witness statements, wiretaps and more than 20,000 emails, along with signs of central control such as HR directing hiring and a “key 4” tool to change prices and stock remotely.
  • Día says it complies with the law and calls the case an early evidence stage with no final ruling, while a conviction under Argentina’s penal tax law could bring penalties such as suspending business or losing eligibility for state contracts.