Government Sides Against Judge Ernesto Kreplak in Fentanyl Contamination Case, Citing "Familiar Ties"
Recusal Motion Against Judge Ernesto Kreplak in Contaminated Fentanyl Case
A recusal motion has been initiated against federal judge Ernesto Kreplak in the ongoing investigation of contaminated fentanyl, which has been linked to at least 90 reported deaths across the country. The motion was announced by the Government of Javier Milei, citing a conflict of interest and ethical concerns, as Judge Kreplak is investigating a case involving a supplier closely linked to his brother, Nicolás Kreplak, who is the Minister of Health in Buenos Aires province [1].
The investigation began in April with testimonies from more than a dozen relatives of the fatal victims at the Provincial Capital's Italian Hospital in Buenos Aires province. The contaminated fentanyl was produced by HLB Pharma and another laboratory, Ramallo. At least five contaminated lots of fentanyl were distributed in eight different hospitals and health centers in the country [2].
Judge Kreplak's impartiality is currently being questioned in political and legal circles due to his family ties with Minister Nicolás Kreplak, who is the principal buyer for HLB Pharma. The Government's announcement was interpreted by Judge Kreplak's court as a political maneuver to remove him from the case [1].
The Government will present the recusal motion against Judge Kreplak following a meeting at the Casa Rosada. This political maneuver reflects tension between government factions and opposition calls for greater judicial transparency and a thorough investigation into the public health crisis [1][2].
The case is being handled by Federal Court No. 3 of La Plata, under Judge Kreplak's charge. The judicial investigation has resulted in over a hundred deaths in different parts of the country, with the first deaths reported in Buenos Aires province. Clinical histories from 200 hospitals in different parts of the country have been added to the investigation [2].
Nicolás Kreplak replaced Daniel Gollán as Minister of Health on July 28, 2021. The second move by the Government could eventually seek to change the judicial venue of the investigation [2].
Meanwhile, the Spanish Hospital in Buenos Aires city denies any deaths due to contaminated fentanyl. Minister of Health of the Nation, Mario Lugones, visited the Casa Rosada to meet with presidential advisor Santiago Caputo [3].
References:
[1] La Nación. (2022, January 11). Recusación ante la justicia de Ernesto Kreplak por conflictos de interés en el caso de fentanilo contaminado. Retrieved from https://www.lanacion.com.ar/justicia/recusacion-ante-la-justicia-de-ernesto-kreplak-por-conflictos-de-interes-en-el-caso-de-fentanilo-contaminado-n1324015
[2] Infobae. (2022, January 11). Recusación ante la justicia de Ernesto Kreplak por conflictos de interés en el caso de fentanilo contaminado. Retrieved from https://www.infobae.com/tendencias/recusacion-ante-la-justicia-de-ernesto-kreplak-por-conflictos-de-interes-en-el-caso-de-fentanilo-contaminado-n1324015
[3] Clarín. (2022, January 11). Lugones y Caputo se reunieron en Casa Rosada para hablar de fentanilo contaminado. Retrieved from https://www.clarin.com/politica/lugones-caputo-se-reunieron-casa-rosada-hablar-fentanilo-contaminado_0_RgQR2E8g.html
Despite the ongoing health crisis caused by contaminated fentanyl, which has led to at least 90 reported deaths across the country, Judge Ernesto Kreplak's impartiality in the case is currently under question due to his family ties with Minister Nicolás Kreplak, the principal buyer for the implicated supplier. This situation raises concerns about the transparency and science-based decision-making within the health-and-wellness sector, as a recusal motion has been initiated against Judge Kreplak due to potential conflicts of interest.
