Top aide to Argentina’s leader resigns over corruption scandal

BUENOS AIRES: Argentine President Javier Milei’s chief of staff on Saturday announced his resignation just two weeks after admitting to hiding US$500,000 in savings from tax authorities.

Manuel Adorni, 46, is embroiled in a scandal over his big-spending lifestyle, including lavish family holidays and property purchases for amounts far exceeding his official earnings.

A probe into alleged illicit enrichment had put intense political pressure on Milei’s top aide, who announced his departure from the government in an X post.

“The endless media attacks I’ve endured have led me to ask him to stand by me this time so that I can bring this chapter to a close, in order to protect myself and my family,” said Adorni, who denies the allegations against him.

Earlier this month, Adorni told LN+ channel in an interview that for years, as Argentina suffered chronically high inflation, he and his wife had saved “under the table, like all Argentines.”

Over years of spiralling prices, Argentines traded their battered local pesos for dollars, which they often hoarded at home, in cash.

The president has maintained unwavering support for his political ally.

The Argentine leader’s sister Karina Milei — another of his close confidantes — thanked Adorni for his work following his resignation.

“We know about the difficult — and undeserved — moment that you and your family have been going through for months, and we support your decision with respect, regretting that the circumstances have been this way,” she said on X.

Adorni had already stepped down from his informal role as presidential spokesman last week.