Overview

• Official Bank of America records filed as trial evidence identify a January 22, 2020 transfer to José Luis Espert from companies tied to Federico “Fred” Machado.
• The payment order is attributed to Debra Mercer-Erwin through Wright Brothers Aircraft Title Inc. and was processed using platforms and banks including Cash Pro, Citibank and Morgan Stanley.
• Espert posted a video acknowledging receipt of the funds, asserting they were for private professional services and previously declared, and he said he will remain a candidate.
• The trial document labeled “Evidencia 45a” includes the code N28FM, which corresponds to the registration of a plane Machado loaned to Espert during his 2019 campaign.
• Political figures publicly distanced themselves after the disclosure, and Machado remains detained in Argentina facing a U.S. extradition request as his associate Mercer-Erwin was convicted in 2023.