A serious corruption allegation has escalated internationally, involving the Governor of the Argentine province of Chubut, Ignacio Torres , and his Minister of Economy, Andrés Meiszner . The US fishing company Red Chamber Co. filed a lawsuit in late September 2025 in the Federal District Court for the Central District of California , accusing the officials of demanding a $6.5 million bribe in exchange for reversing the expropriation of its processing plant in Puerto Madryn.

Key Details of the Complaint and Accusation

The lawsuit, filed under case number CV-25-4381-JFW , is based on the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) , a key piece of legislation that penalizes the payment or solicitation of bribes by foreign public officials to obtain or retain business.

The main accusation: Minister Andrés Meiszner allegedly demanded a payment of $6.5 million in "B-money" (an untraceable form of payment) so that Red Chamber could continue operating the assets of the former Alpesca SA.

The bribery mechanism: The amount would be divided into two installments: an advance of $3 million and a second payment of $3.5 million.

The evidence presented: The complaint includes alleged emails and internal communications that would demonstrate that Torres' administration conditioned the restitution of Red Chamber's assets on the delivery of this illicit payment.

The context of the conflict: The conflict originated when the Chubut provincial government unilaterally terminated Red Chamber 's contract for the former Alpesca assets in February 2025, alleging breaches of contract. This prompted warnings from the U.S. Embassy regarding legal uncertainty and a potential violation of the Bilateral Investment Treaty.

The alleged conspiracy: The complaint also alleges that officials from Chubut and the Spanish corporation Grupo Profand SL conspired to commit industrial espionage, theft of trade secrets, and orchestrate the expulsion of Red Chamber from the Patagonian fishing business, with the aim of transferring the facilities to the Galician company.

The legal and political implications of the case

The seriousness of the accusations carries significant consequences both in the US legal sphere and in the Argentine political sphere.

Consequences in the United States

Impact on the Government of Chubut

A factor that further fuels suspicions is a settlement agreement reached between the Chubut government and Red Chamber on November 1, 2025, just days after the lawsuit was leaked . This agreement allows the company to retain assets and build a new plant, and commits the province to guaranteeing a stable legal framework under the Bilateral Investment Treaty with the United States.

For many observers, the timing of the agreement is convenient and generates calls for the US judicial system to act immediately, suggesting a possible cover-up or out-of-court settlement to defuse the tension.

If the allegations filed in US federal courts are proven, Governor Ignacio Torres could face impeachment proceedings before the Provincial Legislature if his involvement in or knowledge of the scheme is established. The charges in Argentina would be bribery and illegal exactions, according to the Penal Code.

The case not only jeopardizes Governor Torres's political continuity, but also underscores the vulnerability of bilateral relations and legal certainty in Argentina to the interference of international anti-corruption laws such as the FCPA .

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