Miceli claimed that she had been given the money by her brother for a real estate deal that was never consummated. Clarin reports that Argentinean President Kirchner stands by Miceli and said that she would stay in office.

However, investigators reported that “at least one of the bundles of cash was wrapped in an official band from the Central Bank of Argentina” writes Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Once this information was public, Miceli presented her resignation to the president. Kirchner accepted her resignation and appointed Industry Secretary Gustavo Peirano as her replacement, USA today specifies.

Now former minister Miceli will stand trial on 23 August, about two months before the presidential elections in Argentina will take place, reports Pagina 12.