César Román Mora Velázquez, who was secretary of the Hidalgo Comptroller’s Office during the administration of Omar Fayad, a PRI (PRI) party member and now a Morena party member, was arrested last Wednesday in Miami, Florida, in connection with his alleged involvement in a network of public officials who allegedly embezzled $520 million Mexican pesos (approximately $27 million USD).
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents located and arrested the former official, who was a fugitive from justice in Mexico and wanted outside the country based on an Interpol red notice.
Francisco Fernández Hasbun, head of the Hidalgo Attorney General’s Office, reported that the former comptroller was arrested yesterday, Wednesday, and that US authorities will proceed to deport him to Mexico within a matter of days.
“Yesterday, United States authorities, specifically the Office of Diplomatic Security for Criminal Investigations in Mexico City at the United States Embassy, notified us of the arrest in Miami, Florida, for deportation proceedings to Mexico of an individual identified by the initials C.R.M.V.”, Fernández said in a message posted on social media.
“This arrest represents an important link in the investigation into the Maxitrial in Hidalgo; in the coming days, C.R.M.V will be deported to Mexico under the terms established by international law.”
An arrest warrant is pending against the former public servant for crimes of threats, influence peddling, and embezzlement.
The State Attorney General’s Office links him to a case dubbed “The Sinister Scam,” in which at least 13 mayors have been charged with the alleged embezzlement of more than 520 million pesos.
According to the ministerial authority, the funds were allegedly allocated to front companies under the pretext of being used for road construction and rehabilitation, as well as to purchase supplies to combat COVID-19.
Source: dallasnews
