Allegations of Corruption Dog Mexico's First Lady Angelica Rivera Carrie Kahn - NPR.org
go to original August 3, 2015

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and his wife Angelica Rivera. (EFE)

Eight months ago, Mexico's first lady, known for her fondness of designer clothes and European vacations, made a public promise to sell a multi-million-dollar mansion bought under controversial circumstances. She's purchasing the home, at below market rates, from a contractor with lucrative connections to her husband.

The scandal has been one of the biggest to rock the president's administration. And months later many questions remain regarding the questionable purchase — and the first lady hasn't sold her house.

Last November, just back from a state visit to China, a defensive Angélica Rivera, the wife of President Enrique Peña Nieto, distributed a videotaped message.

"I have nothing to hide," Rivera read from prepared remarks. The former soap opera actress said she's purchasing the house with her own earnings.

Rivera says she began planning the design of the house in 2009 and secured a $4 million loan to be paid over 8 years from a company owned by the Grupo Higa construction firm. The well connected firm, was part of a consortium that won Mexico's first multi-billion-dollar high-speed train bid. The deal, however, was quietly canceled just weeks before the firm's connection to the first couple's house was revealed and Rivera videotaped her remarks.

Read the rest at NPR.org

Related: Mexico's President Facing Most Damning Charge Yet - and His Reputation Is Crumbling (Business Insider)

Related: Mexican President Involved in a New Corruption Scandal (teleSUR)

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