The day that justice said “stop now” to a former mayor
Pachuca, Hgo. – In a turn of events that no one (or yes, everyone) expected, the authorities did what they had to do and detained Marcos N, the former mayor of Singuilucan, Hidalgo. The reason? Nothing more and nothing less than an alleged diversion of 126 million pesos in the already famous, and truly sinister, scheme known as the “Sinister Scam.” Basically, they opened two investigation folders for the crimes of illicit use of powers and non-compliance with an aggravated legal duty. In other words, the complete combo of what a public servant should not do.
According to the person in charge of the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Hidalgo (PGJEH), Francisco Fernández Hasbún, the investigations into this monumental fraud continue. Everything indicates that this embezzlement was cooked up during the previous state administration, involving high-level officials and several municipal presidents in the looting of federal resources. Because, apparently, “it doesn’t circulate today” does not apply to bad practices.
The art of creating needs (and diverting wool)
The first investigation folder, with a damage to the treasury of 109 million 645 thousand pesos, is an anthology. The former mayor requested extraordinary resources arguing “pressing needs of the municipality.” What in theory was intended for the sanitization of communal areas, the purchase of stationery, rental of machinery, casual salaries, uniforms and even footwear for civil protection, ended in more than a hundred contracts with 22 individuals and legal entities full of irregularities. Or as we would call it: a shopping cart with everyone’s money.
But the thing doesn’t end there, because there is a second part. A second folder, for the crime of non-compliance with an aggravated legal duty, corresponds to a damage of 16 million 355 thousand pesos. In this chapter of the saga, our protagonist failed to attend to a labor process (file 253/2016), which resulted in a condemnatory ruling against the city council. He was required in six – yes, SIX! – occasions during his administration and, in an act of pure contempt, he ignored the obligations of the ruling, generating million-dollar damage to municipal finances. Their level of commitment to the people was as low as your cell phone battery at a party.
The consequences (and other characters in the cast)
The apprehension of the former official was carried out this Thursday, in compliance with the orders of a control judge. After his capture, he was placed at the disposal of the judicial authority, who will now decide his legal situation. The PGJEH was clear: the investigations into the diversion of public resources committed during the last six-year term remain open within the framework of the Sinister Scam.
And so that you don’t think that this is a one-man-show, there is also the investigation against the former senior official of the state government, M.V.O, who is already in prison. This subject faces charges for diversion of resources in the contracting of catastrophic insurance and, in his most recent act of audacity, for the illegal sale of three helicopters owned by the state government. Yes, you read that right: helicopters. Apparently, M.V.O illicitly carried out contracts on movable property, selling without prior appraisal three aircraft of the Government of Hidalgo during his administration between 2016 and 2022. Because when it comes to embezzlement, some do not settle for small things.
In short, a drama with all the ingredients: public money, power, negligence and an ending (for now) with arrest. A reminder that sometimes real life beats any corruption series you can stream.
Are you surprised by this case of alleged corruption? Share this note on your social networks and help us make visible the importance of accountability. Explore more content related to transparency and justice on our portal.
