Argentine gov't employee carrying tens of thousands in cash robbed at gunpoint

2011-01-14 09:34:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

BUENOS AIRES (BNO NEWS) - Tens of thousands of dollars and euros to be used for the president's travel expenses were stolen in Buenos Aires on Thursday, the local Clarin newspaper reported.

A government employee, who was carrying the money, was reportedly assaulted by thieves who were riding motorbikes in the neighborhood of Palermo. The money, 68,000 dollars and 17,000 euros, was planned for the expenses of the plane that would take President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey.

The employee, who was identified as Rodolfo Stefanon and is in charge of coordinating presidential trips, was on his way to the airport when he stopped by his house and two offenders assaulted him. They put a gun to his head and forced him to give the backpack where he carried the money, the Clarin reported based on police sources.

Stefanon filed an official complaint immediately after the incident and an investigation is underway.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-14

Don't they have bank services in Argentina? Cash = untraceable. The affairs of this Government guy need looking in to.