Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Ex-Argentina official arrested trying to hide bags of cash at monastery


Jose Lopez, former public works secretary, escorted by police
An official in the former government of President Cristina Fernandez was arrested on Tuesday as he allegedly tried to hide millions in dollars and other currencies at an Argentine monastery.

A neighbor of the monastery called authorities after seeing a man throwing bags onto the property near Buenos Aires early Tuesday. Officers arrived and arrested a man who turned out to be former Public Works Secretary Jose Lopez.

Jose Lopez
When he was arrested he tried to bribe police. He later told the nuns that police had tried to steal the money that he was trying to donate.

There were dollars, yen, euros and a currency from Qatar. There was more than $7 million at the monastery which is about 35 miles (55 kilometers) west of Buenos Aires.