Overview
- Argentina’s Senate received the court order on Friday, clearing the way for its leadership to dock Bartolomé Abdala’s monthly pay until the debt is repaid.
- The ruling by Judge Alberto Spagnuolo stems from unpaid property taxes and other San Luis provincial charges pursued by the provincial revenue agency.
- Abdala said he has not been formally notified, called the action political persecution by Governor Claudio Poggi, and said he will meet with his lawyers.
- Provincial revenue chief Teresa Capiello rejected a political motive, saying the tax policy follows ability to pay and that those with means must keep current.
- The senator’s pay averages about 11 million pesos a month, so only a legal share can be withheld each cycle, and San Luis reports more than 5,200 similar tax suits.