– 22 hours to count –
Lopez and his former boss, ex-planning minister Julio de Vido, managed the federal government’s public works projects under the Kirchners (2003-2015).
They were the only two ministers to survive the various cabinet reshuffles across the couple’s 12 years in power.
The two elderly nuns who now live at the old monastery said Lopez and De Vido were regular visitors who would stop by with late archbishop Ruben Di Monte, a close ally of the Kirchners who died in April.
Lopez “is a very good man. He used to come every year to help us,” said one.
The other nun, who was present when Lopez was arrested, wasn’t so sure. She said he was “half crazy” and told her: “They’re going to put me in jail… because I stole money to help you.”
Investigators are now trying to figure out how Lopez amassed a stash of cash, jewels and luxury watches so large it took police nearly 22 hours to count it all.
The total came to $8,982,047, plus 153,610 euros, 49,800 Argentine pesos, 425 yuan and two Qatari riyals, officials said.
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