By David Voreacos and Carlyn Kolker
(Bloomberg) -- U.S. prosecutors disclosed the existence of dozens of audiotapes and videotapes from a probe of five men accused of covering up a clandestine attempt to provide $800,000 to influence the presidential election in Argentina.
Prosecutors in a court filing catalogued their evidence against the men accused of trying to silence Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson, a Florida businessman allegedly acting as a courier for the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. U.S. authorities say the cash was meant to help fund the campaign of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, elected president of Argentina on Oct. 28, succeeding her husband Nestor.
After flying from Venezuela to Buenos Aires on Aug. 4, Antonini claimed a suitcase bearing the $800,000, and Argentine airport authorities seized the bag. Prosecutors say the cover-up plot included a $2 million bribe offer to Antonini and a threat to his children. Included in the filing in Miami federal court is an agreement between prosecutors and Antonini, who helped make recordings for the U.S. government.