The Skanska case, revealed by journalist Pablo Abiad in Clarín in March 2007, became the first major corruption scandal of Néstor Kirchner's government. The investigation discovered that the Swedish multinational used false invoices from 23 companies to justify the payment of "improper commissions" totaling approximately 17 million pesos, intended to secure the awarding of the expansion of the gas pipeline to the north of the country, a project promoted by the Ministry of Planning. The bribes were allegedly paid between July and October 2005, and an internal auditor confirmed before the judge that company executives were recorded admitting to the bribes.