07/11/13 – The former governor of Aguascalientes, Luis Armando Reynoso Femat (2004-2010), currently faces judicial proceedings for alleged corruption during his time in office, specifically for charges of embezzlement and improper exercise of public office. Among other issues, he is accused of having authorized a purchase of a CT Scanner for 13.8 million pesos (more than $1 million USD) in 2008, which never arrived to the hospital in the City of Aguascalientes for which it was intended. The order allegedly came directly from Reynoso Femat through Secretary of Finance Raúl Cuadra to Ventura Vilchis, the director of the Institute of Health (Instituto de Salud del Estado de Aguascalientes, ISEA), who formally requested the budget from the Secretary of Finance. The money was instead allegedly used to bribe federal legislators.
While the State Attorney General’s Office (Procuraduría General de Justicia del Estado, PGJE) is investigating all individuals involved, only Vilchis has been arrested—though he was then freed on bail. Reynoso Femat, on the other hand, had originally been issued an arrest warrant; however, a Federal Court in the city of Aguascalientes granted Reynoso Femat an amparo so that he cannot be arrested for any of the eight charges against him. The amparo, a constitutional remedy to obtain relief against the violation of constitutional civil rights guaranteed by the government or the court of law, essentially means Reynoso Femat will remain free as he faces the accusations, yet the criminal charges against him at the state courts will nonetheless continue to proceed.
Amidst the scandal, the former governor’s son, Luis Armando Reynoso López, is also being investigated by the Federal Attorney General’s Office (Procuraduría General de la República, PGR) for allegations of illicit enrichment. According to the PGR, during the last three years of his father’s administration, Reynoso López deposited more than 58 million pesos (around $4.5 million USD) in several bank accounts. According to news outlets, at the age of 26, Reynoso López invested almost $4.5 million in real estate in San Antonio, Texas where he purchased four mansions and two other pieces of land in a period of only three months.
Reynoso López is famous for his eccentric nature and for being outspoken about his wealth through social media. Some say that the scandal ignited after the uploading of a video from his birthday party, which exemplifies his wealth and exuberant lifestyle.
Sources:
Muñoz, Raúl. “Achacan soborno a ex Gobernador.” El Norte. May 17, 2013.
Hernández, Anabel. “Halla PGR millones a hijo de Reynoso.” Reforma. June 14, 2013.
Ramírez, Peniley. “El ‘princeso’ y su reino en Texas.” Reporte Índigo. June 20, 2013.
“Hallan Mansiones a hijo de Reynoso.” Reforma. June 24, 2013.
Ramírez, Peniley. “Los lujos del ‘princeso’.” Reporte Índigo. June 24, 2013.
Rivera, Luigi. “Dan amparo definitivo a Reynoso Femat.” El Universal. July 3, 2013.
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