Manuel Adorni, the cabinet chief and close ally of Argentina’s President Javer Meili, announced his resignation on Saturday after a graft scandal that has undermined the government’s pledge to root out graft.
“For the first time since December 10, 2023, I am going against your wishes,” Adorni wrote in his resignation letter to Miley, which he posted on social media, citing the date Miley is expected to enter office.
“Thank you for always believing in me and supporting me through this unfair, painful and exhausting process for me and my family.”
The 46-year-old has been embroiled in scandal over his big-spending lifestyle, which included lavish family holidays and property purchases that far exceeded his official earnings.
For several weeks Adorni continued to maintain that he had committed no crime. However, under increasing pressure, Adorni admitted to hiding $500,000 in savings from tax authorities two weeks earlier.
He has continued to deny wrongdoing and has said the money from savings and investments was made years before he came into public service.
Miley’s anti-corruption campaign is in danger
In 2023, Adorni became the face of Miley’s anti-corruption campaign as a presidential spokesperson. Now, corruption charges against Adorni have dealt a blow to the liberal presidential campaign.
Investigators are probing illicit enrichment stemming from alleged excesses similar to the way Miley and Adorni regularly criticized Argentina’s left-wing populist opposition.
However, Miley has expressed unwavering support for Adorni and defended him, even though the scandal has damaged his government’s public image.
“Manuel is innocent,” Miley told local media during a visit to Spain last week. “I stand with my ministers till the last breath.”
Edited by: Zack Crellin
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