Corrupt State Auditors Behind Massive Embezzlement in Mexico, Analysts Say Mark Browne - CNSNews.com
go to original April 26, 2017

The capture of a fugitive Mexican governor represents a big victory for the country's president, Enrique Pena Nieto (CGTN America)

Corrupt state auditors and a federal government unwilling to tackle widespread corruption paved the way for the alleged embezzlement of more than $13 billion by former and current governors in Mexico, academic and civic researchers say.

“These governors didn’t act alone,” said Fernanda Gomez-Adan, a senior policy analyst with the civic group Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity.

“For the amount of money they embezzled, it’s clear they had other public workers working with them. They had a network of public servants involved in this corruption.”

State auditors are appointed by local legislature which are often controlled by the same political party as the governors, she said.

“They are supposed to have independent auditors. However, the local auditors are almost always from the same political party as the governor.”

The Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico said at the weekend politicians in Mexico have elevated corruption to an “art form.”

It called the government’s response to corruption “grotesque,” and said the “seed” of corruption is “impunity.”

At least 22 current or former governors, all members of President Enrique Peña Nieto’s ruling PRI party, have been accused of embezzling approximately $13.7 billion since Peña Nieto took office in 2012, based upon criminal complaints and federal audits, according to the media outlet Sin Embargo. Five have either been arrested or are subject to arrest orders.

Read the rest at CNSNews.com

Related: How Governors' Offices Became Ground Zero for Corruption in Mexico (The Christian Science Monitor)

Related: Veracruz Officials Seize Ex-Governor Duarte Real Estate (Mexico News Daily)

Related: Mexicans Are Fed Up with Corrupt, Fugitive Governors Escaping Justice (VICE News

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!