Dalma and Gianinna Maradona have filed a lawsuit seeking 300 million pesos in damages against former judge Julieta Makintach, accusing her of misconduct that led to the collapse of the initial judicial proceedings into the death of Diego Armando Maradona. The legal action, confirmed by the family’s lawyer and reported in local media, centers on allegations that the judge’s involvement in an unauthorized documentary compromised the integrity of the trial.
According to court documents cited by Argentine newspaper Clarín, the Maradona heirs argue that their family suffered severe moral harm due to what they describe as the violation of their father’s memory, honor, and the right to a fair trial. They claim the annulment of proceedings caused emotional distress and prolonged uncertainty in a case already marked by deep public scrutiny and legal complexity.
The lawsuit also names additional parties allegedly connected to the documentary project titled “Divine Justice,” including the production company La Doble S.A., interior designer María Pía Alemán, and screenwriter Juan Manuel D’Emilio. The film, which was never released, is at the center of accusations that external media involvement improperly influenced judicial conduct during the trial process.
Judge Makintach was removed from the case after evidence emerged suggesting her participation in the audiovisual project. She was recused on May 27, 2025, and just days later the original trial was annulled after 21 hearings and testimony from 44 witnesses. Following the scandal, she was permanently barred from holding judicial office, marking a dramatic fall from her position in Argentina’s judiciary.
The controversy has further complicated ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Maradona’s death on November 25, 2020. A separate trial resumed in April this year in the San Isidro courts, where seven healthcare professionals are being prosecuted on charges of manslaughter with implied malice, accused of negligence in the care of the football icon during his final days.
The case continues to grip Argentina and the global football community, not only for the circumstances of Maradona’s death but also for the growing allegations of judicial misconduct and procedural collapse that have cast doubt over earlier proceedings. As new lawsuits and trials unfold, the legal battle surrounding one of the sport’s greatest figures shows no sign of reaching resolution.
