Argentina's Javier Milei replaces chief of cabinet after ally resigns over hidden wealth and tax evasion scandal

Resignation under pressure

Manuel Adorni, 46, Argentina's chief of cabinet and President Javier Milei's closest ally, resigned on Saturday June 27 following months of media revelations about his hidden wealth. He had first insisted before Parliament that his asset declaration was complete, but later admitted to concealing $500,000 from the tax authorities. The resignation became impossible to avoid after the opposition threatened a motion of censure and federal prosecutors opened an investigation for illicit enrichment and tax evasion.

“The relentlessness has its limits, I have reached mine.”

A luxurious lifestyle exposed

The scandal has gripped Argentine headlines for three months, with weekly revelations about Adorni's spending. Reports documented first-class flights, five-star hotels, and property purchases worth hundreds of thousands of euros. The latest disclosure involved a receipt for household linen costing around €5,000. The contrast with the government's drastic austerity policies and its stated aim of making morality a pillar of public policy made his position untenable.

Milei names Diego Santilli as replacement

On Sunday, President Milei moved quickly to fill the vacancy by naming Diego Santilli as the new chief of cabinet. Unlike Adorni, who was known for confrontation and limited political experience, Santilli is seen as more conciliatory and seasoned in political negotiation. The appointment was announced directly by Milei alongside Santilli, according to a statement cited by Mediapart. The choice signals a possible shift in style if not in substance, as Milei seeks to stabilize his administration.

Legal aftermath and Adorni's promises

Adorni has pledged to pay "down to the last tax, the last fine, all the interest, everything that stems from this error," as reported by Le Monde. He explained that the hidden funds came from cryptocurrency investments made between 2014 and 2018, before his political career, and that he had saved them informally. The federal investigation continues, now encompassing the purchase and renovation of properties worth hundreds of thousands of euros. Adorni's resignation letter also denounced what he called the incessant media attacks.