The chambermaid Carlos “Coco” Mahiques, one of the most influential judges of the Federal Chamber of Criminal Cassation, resigned this Monday from the subrogation in Chamber I that was to define the future of the investigation into the luxurious property of Pilar attributed to Pablo Toviggino, the number two of the AFA. The decision came a day after it came to light that he celebrated his 74th birthday at that same property, among collector cars, champagne and judicial colleagues, just when the place is under suspicion of money laundering and front men. Mahiques denies it, but judicial and AFA sources confirm it off the record. Now, the “Mahices clan” and its ties to the power of football are exposed in the midst of a scandal.
The celebration took place at the end of 2025 at the Villa Rosa mansion (4100 Misiones Street), a 5.5-hectare property valued at more than 20.8 million dollars. It appears in the name of a monotributista and his retired mother, but Justice indicates that they are front men for Toviggino, right-hand man of Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia. There were Ferraris, Porsches, Mustangs, a warehouse with 54 vehicles and more than twenty guests: judges, prosecutors and club operators. Mahiques, consulted by LA NACION, denied the birthday there and defended it as “private life” protected by article 19 of the Constitution. “And if it were true, what would be the problem?” he challenged. But the revelation unleashed calls for an apology from the Civic Coalition and criticism in the corridors of Comodoro Py.
Until that moment, Mahiques had a key vote: deciding whether the case remained in the Federal Court of Campana (Adrián González Charvay, where the accused want it) or returned to the Economic Criminal jurisdiction (Marcelo Aguinsky). With his resignation from subrogation, he formally leaves the file. He continues as a starter in Room III, but the gesture closes – at least for now – his direct intervention in a case that bothers the power of football.
More than 50 years in Justice
Born in Mercedes, province of Buenos Aires, Mahiques is 74 years old and has a career of five decades in criminal law. He arrived at the Federal Court of Cassation in 2017, transferred from the Buenos Aires Court during the government of Mauricio Macri. He was Buenos Aires Minister of Justice with María Eugenia Vidal in 2015-2016 (he resigned after five months). Before, he joined oral and cassation courts in the province.
He is recognized for high-impact rulings: in 2024 he classified the AMIA attack as a crime against humanity, attributed it to Hezbollah with Iranian support, and condemned the cover-up. In 2023, it confirmed 54 convictions for torture, disappearances and “death flights” at ESMA. He is a university professor, author of books on criminal law and accumulates distinctions: Order of Merit from Italy, decorations from France and Malta, awards from the ADL and the DAIA for his role in the AMIA cause.
The Mahiques clan and links with the AFA
The scandal of the fifth put the magnifying glass on family ties with the leadership of the AFA. Esteban Mahiques (eldest son), general director of Institutional Relations of the Foreign Ministry, was until recently listed as a member of the AFA Disciplinary Court (he resigned in recent weeks after questions about incompatibilities). Juan Bautista Mahiques (younger son), attorney general of the City of Buenos Aires and president of the International Association of Prosecutors, was appointed vice-rector of the AFA University (UNAFA), announced by Tapia on November 4, 2025 with Alberto Barbieri as rector (he also recently resigned). The Milei Government has already ordered UNAFA not to promote itself as a university for not meeting legal requirements.
A third son, Ignacio Mahiques, is a Buenos Aires prosecutor and was deputy in the Roads case against Cristina Kirchner. Judicial and political sources speak of a “clan” of weight: father in Federal Cassation, one in the Chancellery with a foot in AFA, another as Buenos Aires attorney general and vice-rector of the football university. These links explain part of the discomfort over the party in the villa.
The background of Lago Escondido
It is not the first time that the Mahiques appear in scandals involving ties to power. In October 2022, Carlos traveled to Joe Lewis’ ranch in Lago Escondido with judges (Julián Ercolini, Pablo Yadarola, Pablo Cayssials), his son Juan Bautista, officials and directors of Clarín. The trip was paid for by the business group. Chats were leaked where they coordinated how to justify the exit to the press. The case for gifts and non-compliance advanced, but the judges ended without relevant sanctions.
Resignation and the uncertain future
In his resignation note, Mahiques spoke of “strictly functional circumstances” and work overload (due to the departure of Juan Carlos Gemignani). He didn’t mention the fifth or the birthday. He turns 75 in November 2026 and Milei has already sent his request to the Senate to renew the agreement for five more years. With the AFA scandal on the table, this process becomes complicated.
A judge with resounding rulings on human rights and international terrorism, but with a family intertwined with the judiciary and, until days ago, with the structure of the AFA. The celebration at the house under investigation ended up exposing everything. Coincidence or conflict of interest? In Comodoro Py, no one says it out loud, but everyone thinks it.
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