26/06/2026 15:18 - Politica
Manuel Adorni, who serves as Argentina's Cabinet Chief (a position equivalent to Chief of Staff in other governments), faces new scrutiny in an ongoing investigation into his asset growth. The Justice Department is analyzing a series of purchases made during 2025 from his personal Mercado Libre account (Latin America's largest e-commerce platform, similar to Amazon or eBay) that were allegedly paid using credit cards belonging to officials working under his supervision at the Presidential Spokesperson's Office.
According to information published by La Nación, one of Argentina's most prestigious newspapers, the transactions under investigation totaled 5,848,589 Argentine pesos and were made in August 2025. This amount exceeded Adorni's monthly salary at that time, which was approximately 3.5 million pesos (roughly $3,500-4,000 USD at the official exchange rate).
| Product | Date | Amount (ARS) | Cardholder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 Monitor (27 inches) | August 19, 2025 | $2,184,999.05 | Laura Daniela Schiuma (Director General of Presidential Activities) |
| Epson Home Cinema 2350 4K Pro-UHD Projector | August 13, 2025 | $1,831,795 | Luis Enrique Aluju (Government Information Coordinator) |
| Epson Home Cinema 2350 4K Pro-UHD Projector | August 13, 2025 | $1,831,795 | Luis Enrique Aluju (Government Information Coordinator) |
📌 Context for International Readers: These products represent high-end gaming and home entertainment technology. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is a premium gaming monitor popular among esports enthusiasts, while the Epson projectors are designed for home cinema experiences. The total value represents approximately 5,000-6,000 USD at Argentina's official exchange rate.
On June 2, 2025, official Gisela Kocsis paid 8,183,383 pesos in cash at a mattress and linens store. The products were destined for a home the Adorni family purchased in Country Indio Cua.
"Country" in Argentina refers to gated communities with country club amenities, popular among wealthy families seeking security and exclusivity.
The invoice was found on the mobile phone of Matías Tabar, a contractor who worked on the property's renovation.
Tabar provided information about the work done on the property and stated that the renovation required cash disbursements totaling 245,929 USD.
Messages exchanged with Adorni regarding legal statements were also found on his device.
The investigation highlighted a known aspect of the official: his passion for video games. Before joining the national Government, Adorni conducted live streams where he played and interacted with other users.
In public interviews, he described himself as a "retrogamer" and mentioned that he collects classic consoles and computers. He also recounted playing Age of Empires since his teenage years and participated in YouTube content dedicated to that activity.
The federal prosecutor's office headed by Gerardo Pollicita has been delegated to investigate the Cabinet Chief's asset evolution. The case stems from questions about a 775% patrimonial increase (from 20 million to 944 million Argentine pesos, approximately from $20,000 to $944,000 USD).
A motion of censure (a formal parliamentary procedure to express disapproval) against Adorni has accumulated 120 signatures out of 129 required in the Chamber of Deputies (Argentina's lower house of Congress).
Official Position: President Javier Milei stated he will support Adorni "until the Justice decides." On June 26, 2026, Adrián Ravier assumed the new presidential spokesperson role, replacing the questioned official.
This investigation is part of broader scrutiny over public officials' asset declarations in Argentina. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the contrast between the high-end gaming equipment purchases and the economic challenges facing ordinary Argentine citizens amid the country's ongoing inflation crisis.
Sources: MDZol, La Nación
Alfredo S. Quiroga
