Argentine energy chief faces bribery allegation

BUENOS AIRES – Argentine Energy Minister Daniel Cameron could become the second high-ranking official in President Cristina Kirchner’s administration to be prosecuted for corruption, according to a judicial source.

Prosecutors petitioned Judge Norberto Oyarbide to seek corruption against Cameron related to Swedish construction firm Skanska’s bribes to public officials to win a 2005 contract under the government of the late Nestor Kirchner, husband and predecessor of the current president.

The newspaper Clarin reported Saturday that Cameron was among officials who allegedly schemed to seek up to $3.2 million in fraudulent commissions.

In a court filing last month, Cameron maintained his innocence and denied wrongdoing in the bidding process for the expansion of the country’s pipeline network.

Former transportation minister Ricardo Jaime, key figure in the governments of both Kirchner presidents, faces trial on corruption charges during his tenure. Jaime resigned after the 2009 midterm elections.

In 2006, Skanska fired seven of its Argentina-based executives after discovering financial mismanagement.

In power since 2007, Kirchner has not yet made officially clear whether she will stand in the October presidential election. She succeeded her husband, who later died of a heart attack at age 60.