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A request was made to investigate 'the possible commission of bribery crimes', 'negotiations incompatible with the exercise of public office'
Justice Department Investigates Federal Fisheries Council Over Alleged Bribery in Quota System
ARGENTINA
Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
The Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) has been ordered by the courts to submit all documents related to the allocation process for Individual Transferable Catch Quotas (CITC) for common hake.
The Office of Administrative Investigations (PIA), under Case CFP No. 4416/2024, has formally requested that the CFP provide all proceedings related to the CITC allocation. This request stems from allegations that companies in the fishing industry were asked to pay bribes—claims that sparked a public scandal two months ago, as reported by Nelson Saldivia in Parte de Pesca.
The complaints, filed with the Federal Court of Mar del Plata and the Anti-Corruption Office by Buenos Aires legislator Gustavo Pulti, are linked to a judicial order served to the Federal Fisheries Council on October 24. The case is being pursued by the Office of the Attorney General for Administrative Investigations.
 It is important to note that the PIA is a division of the Attorney General's Office responsible for investigating corruption and other administrative misconduct within the National Administration.
In September, a previously undisputed report revealed that alleged intermediaries from the national government, under President Javier Milei's administration, had demanded $15 million from fishing industry executives to secure the continuation of the CITC regime for hake hubbsi for the next 15 years.
According to an initial report by LPO, the bribe allegations were first brought to the attention of the U.S. Embassy in Argentina through Iberconsa, a major player in the hake fishing industry and part of the U.S. company Platinum Equity.
As a result of this disclosure, two investigations were launched: one by former Mar del Plata mayor Gustavo Pulti, and another initiated by a division of the Attorney General's Office.
In the context of the PIA's investigation, led by prosecutor Sergio Leonardo Rodríguez, the CFP has been asked to provide detailed information on its administrative actions concerning CITC allocation. The CFP's Legal Advisory Board responded to this request, as recorded in the agency's Minutes No. 21 (6.1.), dated yesterday.
At the same time, the Federal Prosecutor's Office No. 2 in Mar del Plata, led by prosecutor Santiago Eyherabide, is conducting its own investigation based on a complaint filed by Pulti.
Pulti, who is also the president of the Commission on Maritime, Port, and Fisheries Interests in the Buenos Aires Provincial Chamber of Deputies, has called for an investigation into possible crimes of bribery, improper negotiations, and illegal exactions.
As part of his inquiry, Pulti also requested clarification from the Federal Fisheries Council regarding the measures it has taken in response to the alleged corruption, including whether the procedures for renewing quotas were suspended. However, the legislator claims that he has yet to receive an official response from the Council.
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