Fred Machado pleads guilty to money laundering and fraud in the US

2026년 05월 18일

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Argentine businessman Fred Machado admitted to US federal authorities in Texas his role in a money laundering and wire fraud scheme tied to aircraft sales.

Machado, who lent planes for José Luis Espert’s 2019 presidential campaign, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money and commit wire fraud. The filing was made in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas before Judge Amos L. Mazzant.

The plea deal drops the initial drug trafficking charge. Investigators said Machado raised investor funds with false promises about unavailable commercial aircraft through firms including South Aviation Inc and Pampa Aircraft Financing.

President Javier Milei defended Espert, calling prior accusations a political and media operation. Extradited from Argentina, Machado has been held in Oklahoma for six months. Sentencing is expected in the coming weeks.

Zapatero charged with influence peddling in plus ultra case

2026년 05월 19일 AI에 의해 보고됨 AI에 의해 생성된 이미지

Judge José Luis Calama of the Audiencia Nacional has charged former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero as the alleged leader of an influence-peddling network tied to the 53-million-euro rescue of airline Plus Ultra. Zapatero is summoned to testify on June 2. The former leader denies any improper involvement.

Son-in-law of El Mayo Zambada pleads guilty to drug trafficking in US

Juan Carlos Félix Gastélum, son-in-law of Ismael El Mayo Zambada, accepted his guilt in a federal court in San Diego on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering.

Federal police probe smuggling on flight with Motta and Nogueira

2026년 04월 28일 AI에 의해 보고됨

Brazil's Federal Police has opened an inquiry into suspected smuggling on a private flight carrying Chamber President Hugo Motta, Senator Ciro Nogueira, and other lawmakers from the Caribbean to São Paulo in April 2025. The PF report notes luggage bypassed x-ray screening, and the case was sent to the Supreme Federal Court and the Attorney General's Office. Motta and the plane's owner deny any wrongdoing.

America

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America

MC Ryan SP's arrest upheld after PF operation against money laundering

Politics

UDEF reports detail messages on alleged Zapatero meetings with Plus Ultra executives

Koldo Case Trial: Javier Hidalgo denies bribes in Air Europa rescue

In a recent session of Spain's Supreme Court trial in the Koldo masks case—following earlier testimonies like Day 6's on Adif mask purchases—former Globalia CEO Javier Hidalgo denied paying commissions or bribes for Air Europa's pandemic rescue loan, calling it the 'worst loan in the world.' He downplayed Víctor de Aldama's role as a mere intermediary and denied any influence from Begoña Gómez. Witnesses corroborated Aldama's frequent access to the Transport Ministry.

Carlos Frugoni admits failing to declare seven Miami properties

2026년 04월 23일 AI에 의해 보고됨

Carlos Frugoni, infrastructure coordination secretary at Argentina's Economy Ministry, admitted omitting seven Miami apartments from his asset declarations and ARCA filings. He acknowledged the mistake and pledged to correct it, stating he will pay taxes in Argentina. A Coalition Cívica legislator plans to file a complaint over potential crimes.