Federal prosecutors have requested the partial elevation to trial of the case against federal judge Pablo Díaz Lacava, a member of the Federal Criminal Oral Court of La Pampa, who is accused of subjecting part of his staff to a sustained pattern of harassment, threats, and workplace violence.
Pablo Díaz Lacava with his lawyer, Andrés Gil Domínguez (National Council of Magistrates)
The filing, signed by prosecutors Iara Silvestre, Federico Iparraguirre, and Horacio Azzolin, argues that the judge used his position of authority over the years to carry out acts of humiliation, isolation, disqualification, and intimidation against six employees. In the case of four women, the accusation also points to a context of gender-based violence.
A climate of “manifest terror”
According to the prosecutors’ request, the events began in December 2012 and continued even after the criminal complaint was filed in 2023. The conduct attributed to the judge includes confusing orders, mockery, incomprehensible internal codes, slamming doors, hitting furniture, threats of unfounded disciplinary proceedings, and tactics aimed at isolating employees within the court.
Prosecutors maintain that these practices created a climate of “manifest terror” and caused serious harm to the victims, whose psychological injuries were supported by expert reports from the Forensic Medical Corps and the Victim Support Directorate (DOVIC).
The defense and the alleged violations
While the criminal case moves forward, Díaz Lacava is also facing proceedings before the Council of the Magistracy. In his defense statement, he denied any criminal conduct and attempted to downplay the events, describing them as “inappropriate jokes” tied to his leadership style. He also referred to an alleged plot against him.However, prosecutors argue that these were not misunderstandings but specific criminal acts. They also accuse him of disobeying a court order that barred him from approaching the victims and the court building, as well as obstructing the investigation through official hearings and emails.
Pablo Díaz Lacava defended himself before the Accusation Committee (National Council of Magistrates)
Indictment already confirmed
In November 2024, Díaz Lacava was indicted without pretrial detention, and a 100 million peso asset freeze was imposed on him. That decision was upheld in 2025 by higher courts. Prosecutors are now seeking to bring him to trial on charges of threats, minor and serious injuries, abuse of authority, and failure to fulfill the duties of a public official.
Two incidents were temporarily left out of this request for procedural reasons, although they are still being reviewed by the Council of the Magistracy as part of proceedings that could eventually lead to his removal.
