An administrative error committed by the provincial government of San Luis in the center of Argentina has become a judicial scandal that is severely affecting the life of a low-income family. The situation originated from a bank transfer that must have been only 8,000 Argentine pesos, the equivalent of less than 7 euros.
Deposited value exceeded half a billion of weights
The amount transferred by the government turned out to be over 510 million pesos, about 400 thousand euros, and was sent to the account of Veronica Alejandra Acosta, residing in Villa Mercedes. The money was destined to pay a food pension, but eventually generated a crisis with large legal and social implications.
Rapid use of money surprises authorities
Given the unexpected entry of money, the woman did not warn the authorities about the abnormal amount. In a few hours, it spent a considerable part of the amount on various purchases and transfers to family members. Veronica herself said: “I thought there were 500,000 pesos (some 400 euros), not millions.”
In an interview with La Opinón Austral, the woman explained that she used funds to meet basic needs and support family members. Among the goods purchased are electrodomers, home articles and even a car, more specifically a Ford Ka of the year 2014.
Dozens of bank transfers were made
In addition to purchases, 66 bank transfers were made to relatives, some of them in the amount of up to half a million pesos. Verônica also said that she even sent 50,000 pesos (about 46 euros) to her sister, resident in the province of Formosa, in the north of the country.
Discovered error led to immediate arrests
When the error was finally detected by the San Luis authorities, the case was immediately reported to the court, according to the newspaper As. Searches were followed by the Acosta’s residence and the arrest of his own and five family members, all accused of alleged diversion of public funds.
Fine imposed threatens to put the whole family in prison
Judicial authorities determined that all six involved should pay a fine equivalent to about 27,700 euros each. In total, it exceeds 165 thousand euros, with the obligation to pay within three business days, under penalty of pre -trial detention.
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Defense claims that sanctions are disproportionate
For the defense lawyer, the sanction is “exorbitant and impossible to fulfill.” The defense insists that it was an involuntary situation caused by flaws of the state itself, arguing that “we are not before a network of stackers, but before humble people who were victims of a state error,” he says, quoted by the same source.
Confiscated goods by order of Argentine Justice
To date, the assets acquired with the undue money transferred by the government have been confiscated by court order, and the authorities continue to investigate whether there was an intention of concealment or diversion of funds by those involved. The tension between the duties of the citizen and the responsibility of the state is now in public debate.
Public opinion is divided as to the severity of the case
The case raised controversy in Argentine society, with many questioning whether the applied measures will not have been excessive in view of the origin of the problem. Media pressure has generated a lit debate about the proportionality of punishments.
Meanwhile, and according to, the family awaits the court decision for fear of being taken to prison. The climate is of anxiety and uncertainty, in a situation that many consider a social tragedy than an organized crime.
VERONICA APPEALS TO UNDERSTANDING AUTHORITIES
“We are not delinquent,” said Verónica. “We only did what anyone would do so needed and not knowing what was happening,” he added in an attempt to appeal to public and institutional understanding.
Error raises questions about administrative management
At the legal level, the question of who should assume the consequences of an administrative error of such gravity remains open. The incident has exposed weaknesses in the financial management of public administration and the Argentine government and may have future repercussions on the way payments are processed.
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