2023-04-28 13:20:59
The resignation of Santiago Díaz Vélez from the management of Emprotur, with strong warnings of irregularities to the members of the board of directors, put on the scene the use of the resources of the Mixed Entity for Tourism Promotion of Bariloche which is made up of funds from the state and taxpayers through the Tish (Safety and Hygiene Inspection Fee).
The departure of Díaz Vélez was formalized in mid-March. Sources close to Emprotur admitted to RÍO NEGRO that, shortly before leaving office, the manager raised concerns regarding various personal expenses that would have been carried out by the Secretary of Tourism of Bariloche and president of the mixed entity, Gastón Burlón, on a trip to Europe “that did not correspond to an official trip of the entity«. They pointed to the purchase of a cell phone, a suit, slippers and various per diems, which the official justified to this newspaper.
When he did not obtain answers from the members of Emprotur, Díaz Vélez chose to resign his position, stating “irreconcilable differences with the board«.
A few days later, the members of the Emprotur board of directors summoned Díaz Vélez to an extraordinary meeting to detail their concerns. But it did not come. “Although in some cases, the money spent was returned, the truth is that there was a personal benefit through the Emprotur tax advantage. It was paid at the official exchange rate, avoiding the tax for purchases abroad“Indicated sources involved in the issue.
This week, the councilor of the Frente de Todos Julieta Wallace presented a request for reports on Burlón’s travel and per diem throughout the past year and so far in 2023. She requested a detail of the travel itinerary (days of departure and return) and the agenda of official activities. She also requested a report on the expenses made by the Secretary of Tourism on each of the trips, clarifying “the payment mechanism used«. The request includes a report of the minutes of the Emprotur board of directors in which these per diems were approved.
“Given some reports regarding the use of the Emprotur structure for personal expenses, We ask for the documentation to be able to clear up doubts and make a presentation in the Comptroller’s Court in case it warrants it. There are public funds at stake,” said the councilor.
Absence for personal reasons
Municipal resolution 3094 from last year notified the absence of the Burlón from the Ministry of Tourism from September 14 to October 15 «for personal reasons«. What is striking is that, during that time, through an official gazette, the official’s participation in the IFTM Top Resa fair in France from September 19 to 22. Also through the municipality’s website, their attendance at the TTG Incontri fair in Rimini, northeast of Italy, on October 13.
Another later resolution (4056/22) accounts for Burlón’s participation in Bariloche’s bid for Expo 2027 in Paris from November 24 to December 1.
“Authorization is always required”
When consulted by this newspaper, Burlón was amazed. «Santiago (Díaz Vélez) left for a personal matter. It was from one day to the next and he never said anything. He had differences with the board. We called him to a meeting on a Friday and he didn’t go,” he said.
He denied that personal expenses had been made on one of the official trips to Europe through the credit card associated with the Emprotur legal entity. «It is true that he bought a phone because Ezequiel (Barberis) had it stolen. But this was done with the authorization of the board of directors and that money was surrendered,” he said, referring to the vice president of Emprotur and head of the Bariloche Chamber of Tourism.
He admitted that he also bought a suit because his was ruined on the trip to Paraguay. «I also requested authorization to buy and replace my suit. Shoes probably too. All expenses must first be approved. If there is an extraordinary expense, such as the suit, authorization is requested”, he explained.
This newspaper consulted the two councilors who make up Emprotur regarding the objections that the former manager of Emprotur would have raised. «I didn’t get any information“, Councilor Ariel Cárdenas (Bariloche for Change) excused himself. He said that Díaz Vélez’s resignation did not attract his attention: “He sent me a WhatsApp saying that he was going to resign. But it did not surprise me because I never noticed him very attached to the team.
The president of the Municipal Council, Natalia Almonacid (JSRN), said she had no information regarding the cause of Díaz Vélez’s departure.
When consulting the Emprotur treasurer, Hernán Lagar, he limited himself to saying that he would request information at the next meeting of the entity next week.
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