Overview
- In the third hearing on Nov. 21–22, the court read cooperating witness Ernesto Clarens’s statement describing his core task as converting pesos from contractors into dollars via informal brokers and, at times, Banco Finansur.
- Clarens said collections were typically about US$300,000 per week, roughly 10% of what firms received from Vialidad, and he estimated he handled around US$30 million.
- He testified that he coordinated drop-offs with Daniel Muñoz at the Hotel Panamericano or the Juncal and Uruguay residence, and that cash was stored in a vault in El Calafate and flown south on official aircraft on Fridays.
- He attributed orders to Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to award a Ruta 40 stretch to Cristóbal López and to rescue the GOTTI firm, and he said José López prepared Vialidad payment lists with her.
- Clarens also outlined the role of the ‘Camarita’ in cartelized bidding and overpricing, while noting that his statements form part of the evidence now subject to judicial scrutiny and defense challenges.