Argentina ships ‘Suitcase-gate’ to Washington
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The puzzling South American case of ‘Suitcase-gate’ is in the hands of U.S. authorities.
Argentina has officially sent a petition to Washington seeking the extradition on currency-smuggling charges of a joint U.S.-Venezuelan citizen, Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson.
Antonini, a businessman who resides in South Florida, flew into Buenos Aires last month with a suitcase containing almost $800,000 in undeclared cash. Customs seized half the money as a fine, but Antonini was allowed to leave Argentina.
The case has triggered a scandal, raising the specter of Venezuelan bagmen roaming the continent dispensing petro-dollars.
Antonini arrived from Caracas on a business jet chartered by the Argentine government. The jet, ferrying Argentina officials and executives of the Venezuelan state oil company, touched down on the eve of an official visit to Argentina by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The Venezuelan and Argentine governments deny any knowledge of the provenance or destination of the $800,000.
The mysterious Antonini, reportedly nicknamed El Gordo Wilson [Fat Wilson], has yet to speak publicly.
Posted by Patrick J. McDonnell in Buenos Aires
Photo: Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson; Credit: AP