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Man Arraigned In Scheme

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 29, 2007

MIAMI - The second of four suspects accused in a purported scheme to hide the source of $800,000 sent in a suitcase to finance the campaign of Argentina's president pleaded not guilty in federal court Friday.
Uruguayan Rodolfo Wanseele Paciello, 40, is accused of failing to register as a foreign agent of Venezuela. His attorney, Orlando do Campo, entered the plea as Paciello stood beside him in leg shackles.

The alleged ringleader of the group, Venezuelan Franklin Duran, 40, entered a not guilty plea Thursday. Investigators think Duran helped orchestrate the Venezuelan government's efforts to cover up an attempt in August to give cash to the campaign of Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez, who was elected Oct. 28.

Two other Venezuelans are charged: Moises Roman Majonica, 36, and Carlos Kauffmann, 35. Their arraignments are scheduled for Jan. 7. All four men are in U.S. custody.

If convicted, the four face up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

Argentine and Venezuelan officials have vehemently denounced the U.S. court allegations as an effort to embarrass their governments.

The Associated Press

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