ARGENTINE President Javier Milei’s Cabinet chief and close ally, Manuel Adorni, resigned on Saturday following a corruption scandal that has roiled the libertarian government, undermining its flagship campaign pledge to stamp out endemic graft in the political elite.

The departure of Mr Adorni costs the president one of his most trusted and long time aides.

A political outsider like the president, Mr Adorni became a lightning rod for criticism in recent months as revelations about his extravagant spending and real estate purchases dominated headlines. 

President Milei named Mr Adorni Cabinet chief last year, giving him huge influence over negotiations with governors and other stakeholders in Congress.

Federal prosecutors are investigating Mr Adorni for illicit enrichment stemming from alleged excesses of the sort that President Milei, and Mr Adorni himself, regularly criticised Argentina’s left-leaning populist opposition. 

Mr Adorni denies wrongdoing.

In his resignation letter Mr Adorni thanked the president “for supporting me through this unjust, painful and exhausting process for me and my family.”

“Manuel is innocent,” President Milei told local media in Spain during his visit there last week. “I stand by my ministers to the bitter end.”

Mr Adorni’s private life first drew scrutiny in March when footage surfaced showing him and his family flying on a private jet to Uruguay’s elite Punta del Este beach resort. 

President Milei has defended the apparently free-spending Mr Adorni even as he attempts to persuade hard pressed Argentinians to accept spending cuts as the cost of living soars.

Local media reported that he bought two properties since President Milei took office, a Buenos Aires apartment and weekend house outside the city. 

Images emerged of him on other luxury vacations, including an all-cash trip to Aruba. According to his public financial disclosures, Mr Adorni earned a monthly salary of around $2,600 (£1,911) until late last year.

It remains unclear who will replace him as Cabinet chief.