Millions in diverted Veracruz funds to be returned by two firms

By Yucatan Times on December 1, 2016

Millions of pesos in funds allegedly diverted by former Veracruz Gov. Javier Duarte are to be returned to state coffers after two companies agreed to give the money back.

The federal Attorney General’s office (PGR) said yesterday that the two companies, whose names have been withheld, agreed to voluntarily reimburse 421 million pesos ($20 million USD) after realizing they had been part of allegedly corrupt activities by Duarte, who is now a wanted man.

“The investigations around the irregularities perpetrated by the governor-on-leave and fugitive of justice Javier Duarte led to the discovery of illegal operations performed with state resources,” said the PGR.

Fugitive Veracruz ex-Gov. Javier Duarte is under investigation for corruption. (PHOTO: ap.org)

“The money trail led us to several companies, against which legal procedures were started. In particular, these two companies decided to sign an agreement with the PGR and the Finance Secretariat,” said the Attorney General’s office.

An initial payment of 250 million pesos is ready to be delivered to the Veracruz financial authority, while the remainder will be delivered in monthly payments, said the PGR.

“These recovered funds are proof that the institution under my charge will make use of all the resources in its reach to fight corruption and retrieve public assets and funds improperly managed,” said Attorney General Raúl Cervantes.

Source: mexiconewsdaily.com