AFA Funds Diverted: $42 Million to Shell Companies in US
Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key data from the provided text, focusing on the individuals and companies involved, and their connections:
The Core Story:
The article investigates a network of four LLCs (Soagu Services, Marmasch, Velp, and Velpasalt) linked too a meaningful financial transaction (likely related to the previously mentioned TourProdEnter). A striking element is that the owners/managers of three of these companies reside and work in Bariloche, Argentina, despite the companies being registered in Miami. The individuals involved have significant debts and, in some cases, legal issues within Argentina.
Individuals Involved:
* Javier Alejandro Ojeda Jara (54):
* Owner/linked to Soagu Services LLC.
* Accumulates over $23 million in debts with the Argentine financial system.
* Works as a pharmacy employee in Bariloche.
* Received a 2-bedroom home through a government program (“Federal Plan I”) in 2009.
* Uses suite 228 at 1031 Ives Dairy Road, Miami as the domicile for soagu Services LLC.
* Mariela Marisa Schmalz (54):
* Manager of Marmasch LLC.
* Resides and works in a decoration store in Bariloche.
* Received a one-bedroom home from Fonavi in 1999.
* Faces executive trials, a tax execution, and a judicial execution.
* Has debts of over $13.4 million in the Argentine banking system.
* Partner of Javier ojeda Jara.
* Uses suite 228 at 1031 Ives Dairy Road, Miami as the domicile for Marmasch LLC.
* Veronica Ines Lopez (52):
* Responsible for Velp LLC.
* Argentine.
* Partner of Roberto Salice.
* Roberto Salice (born 1970):
* Responsible for Velpasalt LLC.
* Declared bankrupt in 2019.
* Bankruptcy proceedings involved allegations of “presumption of fraud,” leading to a criminal examination and restrictions on leaving the country.
Companies Involved:
* soagu services LLC: Incorporated August 2022.Linked to Javier Ojeda Jara.
* Marmasch LLC: Incorporated April 2023 (8 months after Soagu). Managed by Mariela Marisa Schmalz.
* Velp LLC: Responsible party is Veronica Ines Lopez.
* Velpasalt LLC: Responsible party is Roberto Salice.
Key Connections & Patterns:
* Bariloche Connection: Three of the four companies are linked to individuals who live and work in Bariloche, Argentina.
* miami “Virtual Office”: Soagu and Marmasch LLC both list the same address in Miami (suite 228 at 1031 Ives Dairy Road) and use Registered Agents inc. as their registering agent. Velp LLC also uses the same address and agent. This suggests a possible attempt to create a facade of US presence.
* Personal Relationships: Ojeda jara and Schmalz are partners. Lopez and Salice are partners.
* Financial Difficulties: All the individuals involved have significant debts and/or legal/financial issues in Argentina.
* Timing: Soagu was incorporated first, followed by Marmasch eight months later.
Overall Impression:
The article strongly suggests a potentially dubious financial arrangement. The use of LLCs registered in Miami, combined with the individuals’ financial troubles and the concentration of ownership in a single city (Bariloche), raises questions about the true purpose and clarity of these companies and the transactions they are involved in. The investigation is likely exploring whether these companies are being used to obscure the origin or destination of funds, or to avoid taxes or legal scrutiny.