Argentina: Former Santa Fe police chief sentenced for running illegal gambling scheme

An ex-police commissioner from the Santa Fe province has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison, after being found guilty of running an illegal gambling network.

The former officer, a 45-year-old man, was also permanently barred from holding public office, after the court determined he had abused his position to manage and profit from clandestine gambling operations while soliciting bribes.

The verdict was handed down by Judge Martín Gauna Chapero following an oral trial in which prosecutor Nicolás Maglier represented the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Maglier noted that the ruling was close to the prosecution’s original request of three and a half years, underscoring the importance of the outcome in reinforcing the MPA’s strategic plan to combat corruption and illicit practices within public administration.

The Court found the suspect guilty of multiple offenses, including exploitation and organization of unauthorized gambling activities, passive bribery and extortion. 

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The judgment highlighted the misuse of his public role to obtain personal gain while enabling a system that undermined public trust and regulatory safeguards.

The sentence, combined with the permanent disqualification from public service, marks a strong stance by Argentine authorities against illegal gambling operations tied to abuse of office.

Carlos Mendez

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