Amado Boudou

Amado Boudou was born in Buenos Aires, in 1962. His father, also named Amado, was born to a French immigrant from Aveyron named Aimé, and this became a nickname for both.{{cite web|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1149568-quien-es-amado-boudou|title=¿Quién es Amado Boudou?|work=La Nación|date=12 July 2009|access-date=6 January 2012|archive-date=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810105206/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1149568-quien-es-amado-boudou|url-status=dead}} He was raised in the ocean-front city of Mar del Plata and enrolled in the National University of Mar del Plata, where he received a degree in economics, in 1986; described by acquaintances as a sociable type and fond of the bass guitar, he helped produce a number of rock concerts in Mar del Plata in his days as a student, including a festival attended by 15,000 spectators.[http://www.consejo.org.ar/Cv05/boudou_amado.htm Amado Boudou: curriculum vitae] {{in lang|es}}

Boudou attended graduate courses in economics and was awarded a master's degree in economics by a private institution, the Argentine Macroeconomic Studies Center (CEMA), which is well known locally for its support of neo-liberal and free market policies. Boudou was then brought in as a salesman by Venturino Ehisur S.A. (a local sanitation services company). Following his role in securing a number of lucrative hospital contracts for the company, he was named general manager in 1992 of their government contracts office. The company closed, however, when one of its top municipal clients terminated the contract in 1995.[http://www.perfil.com/contenidos/2008/10/25/noticia_0015.html Perfil (25 October 2008)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118091720/http://www.perfil.com/contenidos/2008/10/25/noticia_0015.html |date=18 November 2008 }} {{in lang|es}} He then co-founded Ecoplata S.A., another sanitation services firm, and acted as its project manager; Ecoplata was awarded sanitation contracts by the resort cities of Villa Gesell and Pinamar. He married Daniela Andriuolo in 1993, but they were divorced five years later; they had no children.

Boudou entered public service in 1998, when he was named to the Comptroller's Office of the National Social Security Administration (ANSES) by Economy Minister Roque Fernández (a fellow CEMA alumnus), and in February 2001, he was named that office's general manager. The election of Justicialist Party candidate Juan Pablo de Jesús as Mayor of the sea-side La Costa District resulted in Boudou's appointment as Finance Secretary for the popular resort district, which the policy maker accepted.

The Finance Secretary subscribed to the 2005 Federal Housing Plan promulgated by President Néstor Kirchner, a decision which made La Costa eligible for 486 low-income housing units. The contract, awarded to local builder Cantera FC in May 2005 for nearly US$10 million, was followed by Boudou's return to the ANSES, in January 2006. The Cantera FC contract resulted in an administrative debacle, however, when the builder abandoned the works in June 2007, having by then received over US$7 million in payments (for which the Mayor never initiated litigation).

Returned to the ANSES by its director, Sergio Massa, Boudou was named its financial director (a post second only to the director's in importance), and oversaw the voluntary conversion of several million private pension accounts to the ANSES' aegis when this choice was made available in December 2006. He was appointed its director in October 2008, after Massa's promotion to the powerful post of Presidential Cabinet Chief.

Boudou's appointment coincided with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's controversial decision to transfer loss-plagued private pension funds' assets of nearly US$30 billion to the ANSES, citing the cost of subsidizing 77% of the funds' beneficiaries and the effects of the 2008 financial crisis on the government's ability to obtain financing.[http://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/10/20/elpais/p-01785008.htm "Analizan cambios profundos en el sistema de jubilación privada"] Clarín (20 October 2008) {{in lang|es}}

Following the ruling Front for Victory's defeat in the June 2009 mid-term elections, Economy Minister Carlos Rafael Fernández tendered his resignation to the President, effective 7 July, and was replaced by the ANSES Director.[http://www.clarin.com/diario/2009/07/07/um/m-01954438.htm "Tras la dura derrota electoral, Cristina cambia medio Gabinete"], Clarín (7 July 2009) {{in lang|es}}

Fallout from the 2008 financial crisis later forced Argentine government of President Cristina Kirchner to seek domestic financing for growing public spending, as well as for foreign debt service obligations. These policies and ongoing capital flight put further pressure on the Central Bank's ability to finance debt service obligations, and the president ordered a US$6.7 billion account opened at the Central Bank for the latter purpose in December 2009, implying the use of the Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves, and drawing direct opposition from the institution's president, Martín Redrado; Redrado was ultimately forced to resign.[http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/01/22/um/m-02125286.htm "Aníbal Fernández: 'Redrado no entra más al Banco Central'"], Clarín (22 January 2010) {{in lang|es}}

Boudou presented a debt swap package on 3 May 2010, for the holders of over US$18 billion in bonds who did not participate in the 2005 Argentine debt restructuring prepared by former Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna.[http://www.losandes.com.ar/notas/2010/5/3/un-487506.asp Los Andes (3 May 2010)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927033055/http://www.losandes.com.ar/notas/2010/5/3/un-487506.asp |date=27 September 2011 }} {{in lang|es}} These holdouts include numerous vulture funds which had eschewed the 2005 offer, and had instead resorted to the courts in a bid for higher returns on their defaulted bonds. These disputes had led to a number of liens against central bank accounts in New York and, indirectly, to reduced Argentine access to international credit markets.[http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/01/12/um/m-02118566.htm "Embargaron fondos del Central en EE.UU. y el Gobierno volvió a denunciar maniobras desestabilizadoras"], Clarín (12 January 2010) {{in lang|es}}

In October 2010 Boudou compared Candelaria de la Sota and Martín Kanenguiser, journalists from Clarín and La Nación, with the people cleaning the gas chambers during the Holocaust.[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1313281 Agresión de Boudou a periodistas] {{in lang|es}} Kanenguiser requested clarification, but Boudou instead defended his statement.[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1314013 La agresión de Boudou a periodistas fue un agravio para toda la sociedad] {{in lang|es}} His attack was condemned by the FOPEA (an organization of journalists), members of the legislature,[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1314035 Críticas a Boudou por la agresión a dos periodistas] {{in lang|es}} and the DAIA.[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1313539 Unánime rechazo al ministro] {{in lang|es}} The DAIA accused him of trivializing the holocaust, and Congressman Eduardo Amadeo demanded his resignation; Boudou later stated that this was a badly chosen metaphor.[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1314115 "Se trató de una metáfora inadecuada", dijo Boudou tras la agresión a periodistas] {{in lang|es}}

The Economy Minister announced his bid for the office of Mayor of Buenos Aires in December 2010 as a candidate in the Front for Victory primaries ahead of the 2011 race; hoping to solidify his base among the country's influential trade unions, he made the announcement at the headquarters of SMATA (the machinists' and auto workers' union).{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110723093419/http://www.elargentino.com/nota-119189-Boudou-lanza-su-candidatura-a-Jefe-de-Gobierno.html El Argentino: Boudou lanza su precandidatura a Jefe de Gobierno]}} {{in lang|es}} Ultimately, however, Senator Daniel Filmus was nominated in May.{{cite web|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1375035-elecciones-en-la-capital-reunion-en-olivos-para-definir-candidatos|title=Filmus-Tomada, la fórmula kirchnerista para la Capital|work=La Nación|date=21 May 2011 }}

File:Amado Boudou y Cristina Fernández de Kirchner 2011-12-10.jpg at her 2011 inauguration]]

Boudou was nominated as running mate on President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's Front for Victory ticket for the 2011 elections.{{cite web|url=http://www.clarin.com/politica/elecciones/elecciones_2011-candidato_a_vicepresidente-acto_Olivos-companero_formula_Cristina_0_505749697.html|title=Cristina eligió a Boudou como su compañero de fórmula|work=Clarín|date=25 June 2011 }} Boudou's role in the campaign was noted for his numerous performances at rallies with his bass guitar, and as a DJ.{{cite web|url=http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elpais/1-174015-2011-08-08.html|title=Boudou con las bandejas de DJ|work=Página/12|date=8 August 2011}} They won the October general election with 54% of the vote. Vice President Boudou assumed presidential duties for twenty days on 4 January 2012, while President Fernández de Kirchner underwent a thyroidectomy and convalesced.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16342685|title=Argentina President Cristina Fernandez has cancer|publisher=BBC News|date=28 December 2011}} Boudou again assumed presidential duties for 42 days{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24906559|title=Argentine president expected to return to work next week|publisher=BBC News|date=11 November 2013}} on 8 October 2013, while President Fernández de Kirchner underwent surgery to relieve bleeding on her brain and convalesced.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24438437|title=Argentina President Cristina Fernandez surgery 'went well'|publisher=BBC News|date=8 October 2013}}

{{POV section|date=October 2023}}

{{Main|Boudougate}}

The vice president faced accusations of influence peddling in 2012 regarding contracts awarded by the Economy Ministry to Ciccone Printing for the supply of 100 peso bills, license plates, and other government issues. The controversy arose following statements made by the ex-wife of Ciccone executive Alejandro Vanderbroele to the effect that Boudou was his silent partner in the firm. It was alleged that César Guido Forcieri, who had previously worked under Boudou, had made the connection between the two men. Pursuant to prosecutor Carlos Rívolo's request and following news that the Puerto Madero condominium rented by Boudou was owned by a friend of Vanderbroele who had, moreover, borrowed funds from Boudou, Judge Daniel Rafecas ordered the residence searched for proof of business associations between Vanderbroele and the vice president;{{cite web|url=http://www.clarin.com/politica/Allanaron-Amado-Boudou-Puerto-Madero_0_676132617.html|title=Operativo judicial en un departamento de Boudou|work=Clarín|date=4 April 2012 }} a receipt for one month of homeowner association dues owed by the condominium's owner, Fabián Carosso, and paid instead by Vanderbroele, was located in the search on 4 April.{{cite web|url=http://www.infonews.com/2012/04/04/politica-16779-otra-operacion-de-clarin-vandenbroele-no-pago-expensas-de-boudou.php|title=Otra operación de Clarín: Vandenbroele no pagó expensas de Boudou|work=Info News|date=4 April 2012}}

Following an August 2013 judicial ruling ordering prosecutors to provide evidence of wrongdoing, and their subsequent failure to do so, on 11 September a Federal Court granted a motion by Boudou's attorneys that would allow them to file for a dismissal of charges.{{cite web|url=http://www.perfil.com/politica/Guio-judicial-a-Boudou-podria-pedir-su-sobreseimiento-en-el-caso-Ciccone-20130911-0025.html|title=Guiño judicial a Boudou: podría pedir su sobreseimiento en el caso Ciccone|work=Perfil|date=11 September 2013|access-date=15 September 2013|archive-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111235837/http://www.perfil.com/politica/Guio-judicial-a-Boudou-podria-pedir-su-sobreseimiento-en-el-caso-Ciccone-20130911-0025.html|url-status=dead}} He was, however, indicted on passive bribery and influence peddling charges by Judge Ariel Lijo on 27 June 2014; Boudou appealed the indictment on 10 July, alleging malicious prosecution.{{cite web |date=10 July 2014 |title=VP Amado Boudou files appeal against corruption indictment |url=http://buenosairesherald.com/article/164256/vp-amado-boudou-files-appeal-against-corruption-indictment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731101913/http://buenosairesherald.com/article/164256/vp-amado-boudou-files-appeal-against-corruption-indictment |archive-date=31 July 2016 |work=Buenos Aires Herald}} Boudou is also being investigated for several other offenses and/or crimes, and is a defendant in a total of ten cases in the Federal Courts.[http://www.perfil.com/politica/Boudou-suma-diez-causas-en-la-Justicia-federal-20140629-0053.html Boudou suma diez causas en la Justicia federal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714162633/http://www.perfil.com/politica/Boudou-suma-diez-causas-en-la-Justicia-federal-20140629-0053.html |date=14 July 2014 }}, Perfil, 29 June 2014 (Spanish)

On 3 November 2017, Boudou was arrested on charges of money laundering and racketeering, during the ongoing trial.{{cite news|title=Ex-Argentina VP Boudou arrested in corruption case|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-corruption/ex-argentina-vp-boudou-arrested-in-corruption-case-idUSKBN1D317J|access-date=4 November 2017|work=Reuters|date=3 November 2017}} The case concluded in August 2018 with him sentenced to five years and ten months. He has also been banned for life from holding public office.{{cite news|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/argentina-s-former-vp-boudou-convicted-of-corruption/4517781.html|title=Argentina's Former VP Boudou Convicted of Corruption|work=Voice of America|date=7 August 2018}} Nicolás Ciccone, former owner of Ciccone Printing, was also sentenced to four years and six months.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45104286|title=Argentina's former Vice-President Amado Boudou jailed for corruption|date=7 August 2018|publisher=BBC|access-date=8 August 2018}} He is jailed at a prison in Ezeiza, alongside other inmates also convicted in corruption cases during the Kirchner government, such as José López and Lázaro Báez.{{cite web|url=https://www.clarin.com/politica/rutina-presos-carcel-ezeiza_0_ry5zr2PHm.html|title=Amado Boudou preso: cómo es la rutina de los presos K en la cárcel de Ezeiza|trans-title= Amado Boudou, prisoner: which is the routine of the prisoners K in the Ezeiza prison|language=es|date=7 August 2018|publisher=Clarín|access-date=8 August 2018}}

Boudou claims that he is a victim of political persecution. He has said that the "alleged bribe has no basis or link to the evidence because it didn’t exist."{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/08/08/world/politics-diplomacy-world/argentine-ex-vice-president-amado-boudou-convicted-corruption-former-president-cristina-kirchner/#.W2s7S9ThBkg|title=Argentine ex-Vice President Amado Boudou convicted for corruption under former President Cristina Kirchner|date=8 August 2018|publisher=The Japan Times|access-date=8 August 2018}}

This seems to be supported by the latest developments in the Marcelo D'Alessio case being investigated by the Federal Judge of Dolores Alejo Ramos Padilla. D'Alessio was allegedly part of an espionage gang with members of the AFI (Federal Intelligence Agency), the Judicial Branch and Journalists that forged false penal cases against members and allies of the former Argentinian government as part of a Lawfare campaign. The attorneys of Núñez Carmona, who was accused along with Boudou, asked Judge Ramos Padilla to investigate if the testimony of Vandenbroele was indeed prepared by members of the AFI and the Ministry of Security.{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2019/04/19/piden-que-ramos-padilla-investigue-si-la-confesion-de-vandenbroele-en-el-caso-ciccone-fue-armada/|title=Judge Ramos PAdilla to investigate if Vandenbroele's confession was a set up|author=Patricia Blanco|date=19 April 2019|publisher=Infobae|access-date=19 April 2019}}

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Category:Vice presidents of Argentina

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Category:1962 births

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