Dec. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Argentine Federal Judge Marta Novatti agreed to add money laundering charges to the arrest warrant and extradition request for a U.S. citizen who attempted to bring $790,550 in undeclared cash into the country on Aug. 4.

Novatti, who in August issued an arrest warrant for Florida businessman Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson for alleged smuggling, said her new request is currently being translated and will be ready within 48 hours.

``The request was widened because new elements in the investigation require us to question him for money laundering,'' Novatti said in a telephone interview.

She declined to elaborate on the evidence.

Argentine government officials, including former President Nestor Kirchner, have urged the U.S. to extradite Antonini, who wasn't charged after he was caught at a Buenos Aires airport.

Antonini is now a cooperating witness in a U.S. case against five men accused of being unregistered Venezuelan agents who allegedly sought to coerce him to keep quiet about the source and destination of the money. U.S. prosecutors alleged the money was sent from Venezuela to fund President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's campaign.

Novatti, from the Criminal Economic Court No. 2, asked the international police agency Interpol to provide any information found in the U.S. probe that would help Argentina.

To contact the reporter on this story: Eliana Raszewski in Buenos Aires eraszewski@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 20, 2007 10:53 EST