A recent investigation by Bloomberg revealed that President Javier Milei, while serving as a national deputy, allegedly collected around US$20,000 in cash for private dinners with business executives in Buenos Aires. These meetings reportedly took place regularly in exclusive venues such as the Le Parc skyscraper. According to sources cited in the report, the money was handed over to Milei’s sister and financial manager, Karina Milei, with no official receipts or documentation of the payments.
Milei has defended these events in previous interviews, stating that his time is valuable and the dinners were simply an extension of his former work as a privately employed economic consultant. However, the informal nature of the transactions — and the lack of fiscal transparency — raises serious questions from both a legal and ethical standpoint.
Argentina is not alone in facing such controversies. In the United States, figures like Donald Trump have hosted high-priced private dinners with donors, though these contributions are typically disclosed under strict federal campaign finance rules. In France, former president Nicolas Sarkozy is currently facing charges for illegal campaign financing tied to foreign money , while Marine Le Pen was recently barred from holding office for five years over misuse of public funds. These cases, across the political spectrum, underscore a common tension in electoral systems: candidates, regardless of ideology, often view campaign finance regulations not merely as safeguards, but as obstacles to be navigated — sometimes at the cost of legal and ethical clarity.
The legal implications of President Milei’s case are perhaps more complex. Unlike Trump, who at the time of his events was a private citizen, Milei was a sitting congressman and presidential candidate. This institutional role introduces additional legal and ethical considerations.
If the dinners were truly private consulting services — as Milei has suggested — the lack of invoicing and tax reporting could point to tax evasion. In this case, Argentina’s tax authority, the Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero (ARCA, formerly the AFIP tax agency), would be responsible for initiating an investigation. ARCA would review the origin of funds, demand proper documentation, and potentially pursue sanctions or legal action. Perhaps unlikely to happen, given that ARCA reports to the Executive branch.
If the payments, however, were de facto campaign contributions, they should have been declared in compliance with Argentina’s Political Financing Law (Ley de Financiamiento de los Partidos Políticos; Law 26.215). Failure to report them could trigger administrative or judicial action from the National Electoral Court, an entity within the judiciary.
A third possibility — if it were found that the money was exchanged for political favors or influence — could fall under criminal categories such as bribery, illicit enrichment, or abuse of public office. In that scenario, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministerio Público Fiscal) – an independent body within the judicial branch – would have the prerogative to open a criminal investigation.
Each of these scenarios triggers different legal pathways, but all converge on a key point: the need for institutional clarity and transparent conduct by public officials. The Milei case sits at a critical intersection between political finance, public ethics, and institutional integrity. For an administration that has prioritised fiscal reform and investor confidence, unresolved questions about transparency could pose reputational risks — especially among foreign investors seeking legal predictability and low institutional risk. On the other hand, a robust legal response also carries political costs, particularly in an election year.
Ultimately, the legitimacy of Argentina’s democratic institutions depends not only on economic performance but also on public trust in the rule of law.
by Adrián Genesir
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