Espert Files 141-Page Defense and Requests Dismissal in Money Laundering Case

José Luis Espert, former deputy of La Libertad Avanza, filed an extension of his defense in the case investigating alleged money laundering. The 141-page brief was submitted to Federal Court No. 2 of San Isidro, where Judge Lino Mirabelli must define his legal status. The former legislator insists that the money received from Fred Machado, a businessman convicted in the United States, corresponded to a legitimate consulting contract and that he was unaware of Machado’s illicit activities.

The 141-Page Defense

On his X account, Espert announced the filing: «Today I presented my response to the indictment before the court, in a 65-page defense and a full body with annexes of 76 pages. Total 141 pages. I answered EVERYTHING, point by point, with documents.» The brief expands on his July indictment statement, when he was summoned by prosecutor Fernando Domínguez.

The former deputy maintains that the contract with Minas del Pueblo S.A., a Guatemalan company linked to Machado, was signed before a notary in 2019 and apostilled by the Argentine state. «Fake contracts are not taken to the College of Notaries,» he stated. He also noted that the $200,000 transfer was a single wire to his account, with his name in the reference, and that all his subsequent transactions were registered.

Case Timeline

1. 2019: Espert signs a consulting contract with Minas del Pueblo S.A., linked to Fred Machado, for one million dollars over 12 months. During his presidential campaign, he uses aircraft from companies linked to Machado.
2. 2020: He receives a $200,000 transfer into his account as part of the contract. The money is used to buy a BMW and a Lexus for $130,000 and a trust in Costa Esmeralda.
3. April 2021: Machado is arrested in the United States. Days later, Espert sends a WhatsApp audio where he acknowledges that the contract was executed through Machado’s company, Minas del Pueblo.
4. July 2026: Espert is questioned by prosecutor Domínguez, who accuses him of money laundering. In August, he files his extended defense and requests dismissal or lack of merit.

Between the signing of the contract and Machado’s arrest, Espert claims he was unaware of Machado’s illicit activities. «How was I supposed to know in 2019 what nobody knew?» he said in his defense. However, the prosecutor considers the contract a sham and that Espert did not return the money despite knowing Machado’s situation.

Defense Arguments

Espert justified not returning the $200,000 by arguing that the amount was non-refundable and that no one demanded it back. In a radio interview with Radio Mitre, he reportedly said: «When I find out he’s a drug dealer… bye, go to hell, I’m not giving you back a cent more.» In the defense, he insists that the money remained in his account, in his name, and that he paid taxes on it.

«Did I launder for Machado? Not a single dollar went back to him,» he emphasized. He also questioned the logic of the accusation: «A businessman who moved millions through companies and foreign accounts, did he need me to move 200 thousand dollars through an account with my name?»

Differences Between Sources

La Nación and Periódico Tribuna agree on the central facts: the 141-page defense, the $200,000 transfer, the contract with Minas del Pueblo, and the request for dismissal. However, they differ in tone: while La Nación reproduces Espert’s arguments more neutrally, Tribuna presents them with skepticism, noting that he «left more doubts than certainties.»

Additionally, Tribuna mentions that Espert stated that «two-thirds of the ‘increase’ are inflation and adjustments to fiscal valuations,» a detail not found in La Nación. This difference does not imply contradiction but shows that each outlet selected different passages from the defense.

The Role of the Prosecutor and Judge

Prosecutor Fernando Domínguez accused Espert of laundering the $200,000 through the purchase of the cars and the trust. One piece of evidence is the WhatsApp audio from April 2021, where Espert refers to Minas del Pueblo. The former deputy asked Judge Mirabelli to remove the investigation from the prosecutor and take it over himself, but so far there has been no ruling.

What to Watch Next

Judge Mirabelli’s decision on Espert’s legal status is the key point to follow. If he accepts the defense’s arguments, he could issue a lack of merit or dismissal; if he agrees with the prosecutor, he could indict him. Also relevant is the content of the WhatsApp audio and whether the defense can challenge its validity.