The formergovernor of the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, Angel Aguirre, has beenaccused of embezzling about US$19 million (287 million pesos), however the Mexicanattorney general’s office (PGR) has refused to lay charges while its Office of Criminal Investigation denied any details about the case in a telephone interview with teleSUR on Wednesday.
The Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) of Mexico’s Finance Ministry on Jan. 23 handed over to Attorney General Jesus Murillo strong evidence of the former governor's involvement in acts of embezzlement, Mexican daily La Jornada reported Wednesday.
However, the attorney general responded not by charging Rivero, but by arresting his brother Carlos Mateo, his nephew Luis Angel, his ex-deputy head of administration Victor Ignacio Hughes Alcocer, and five members of his family for their alleged involvement in the crime.
Spokesperson for the Office of Financial Intelligence of the Ministry of Finance, Arturo Salazar, told teleSUR that he was not authorized to speak about the case, but said that “in due time, the PGR will inform news media regarding their decision in connection with Angel Rivero’s involvement in the case.”
“At this point, as well, I have no further information regarding this case,” Salazar added.
Tomas Zeron’s Office of Criminal Investigation also refused to give any information regarding the case.
“If this is an ongoing case, we cannot give out any details that may affect the investigation,” said spokesperson Lilia de la Cruz, of the PGR. During a phone call with teleSUR, de la Cruz also refused to say if Rivero will be investigated for his possible involvement in the case of the 43 disappeared Ayotzinapa students.
The men that were detained and charged by the PGR are currently being held on money laundering charges for allegedly diverting government funds into private bank accounts between 2011 and 2014, according to the findings from a UIF report.
However, according to the report, the former governor was the main operator of the network that diverted the money to personal accounts through two different construction companies – information the attorney general chose to ignore.
The report included evidence of deposits and withdrawals of tens of millions of dollars, 25 percent of which could be directly traced to Rivero while he was still governor.
Rivero had been governor of the state of Guerrero from 2011 until he stepped down Oct. 23, 2014, following the controversial disappearance of 43 students from Ayotzinapa teachers training college and massive public outcry denouncing the government of corruption that followed.
Also see teleSUR’s special news coverage: Justice for Ayotzinapa
The former governor officially resigned from the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) last week and agreed to be investigated for connections with the dissapearance of the students and money laundering. However, the attorney general has still not pressed charges.
Also read: Mexico Cuts Social Programs Against Crime and Violence
And: Mexico to Implement a Law on Forced Disappearances by June