Overview
- Federal judge Diego Amarante formally asked Judge Verónica Straccia to send him the investigation of the Pilar estate that is alleged to be held through front companies.
- Amarante had already processed AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino for alleged tax retention and evasion, a move the Cámara en lo Penal Económico has confirmed.
- If Straccia refuses to cede the file the jurisdictional dispute will go to the Cámara en lo Penal Económico to decide which court must handle the linked probes.
- Investigators say the Pilar property appears on paper as owned by Real Central S.R.L. under Luciano Pantano and Ana Conte while searches found a corporate AFA card in Pantano’s name, dozens of luxury cars, stables and a helipad that prosecutors view as material links to AFA officials.
- The broader inquiry includes ARCA’s expanded claim of nearly ARS 289 million in false billing and the next steps to watch are the competence ruling and whether case consolidation accelerates forensic tracing of funds and possible travel or asset restrictions on the accused.