Deputy José Luis Espert, from La Libertad Avanza, changed his legal team in October 2025 after being investigated for money laundering. He appointed Alejandro Freeland and Santiago Kent as his new lawyers, leaving behind his previous defense, not publicly specified. Espert faces accusations of receiving $200,000 from Federico “Fred” Machado, a businessman linked to drug trafficking, for his 2019 campaign. He admitted the undeclared transfers in Intratables, but did not return them. This led him to resign his candidacy for deputy for Buenos Aires, after raids approved by Deputies.
Alejandro Freeland, a criminal lawyer with 35 years of experience, is a professor at the UBA, the Austral University and Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona). His career includes controversies: he defended a man convicted of the murder of Mariano Ferreyra (2010) and described the 2017 repression in front of Congress as an “uprising in arms.” In Espert’s case, Freeland downplayed the accusations, claiming that the deputy was “deceived” by Machado.
Freeland also represents the Suizo Argentina drug store, the axis of “Coimagate” in the National Disability Agency (ANDIS). This scandal, uncovered in August 2025, involves contracts for 30 billion pesos with surcharges on medicines. Audios from Diego Spagnuolo, former director of ANDIS and friend of Espert and Milei, revealed returns of 8%, with 3% presumably for Karina Milei. Justice, under Judge Casanello, investigates with raids and kidnappings.
“It is an honor to work for Mr. Espert, who is a very honorable man who was deceived and used by a man who seems to be dedicated to deception,” he told the media upon confirming his appointment.
The link becomes complicated: Francisco Oneto, Milei’s lawyer, defends Machado. This network of relationships, with Spagnuolo, Espert and the Milei connected, fuels criticism in X (#KarinaEsAltaCoimera, #EspertNarco). The “coincidences” suggest a closed circle in the ruling party, symbolizing a network of questionable loyalties.
