Javier Duarte Embezzlement Investigation: Controversial Mexican Gov. Accused Of Stealing Over 700,000 USD

Javier Duarte, Governor of the state of Veracruz, is adding embezzlement to his list of accusations. The 42-year-old politician has been previously accused of allegedly killing journalist, Ruben Espinosa, after he published an unauthorized photo of him. Even though the allegations have no verifiable witnesses or physical proof behind them, suspicion has grown after the number of deceased journalists has increased since his term began in 2010.

During an interview with Mexican reporter Carlos Loret de Mola on Friday, Juan Manuel Portal, head of the ASF (Asesoría Superior de la Federación), revealed that Duarte must present valid documentation to confirm the Government’s use of 13 million of pesos (721,000 USD) to benefit the state, “He has no way to prove otherwise. They want to prove everything with documents that don’t support anything, they believe that is going to be enough, but it’s not.”

Furthermore, Portal stated that Duarte’s descriptions of the specific resources acquired with such money are crucial for the investigation’s follow up, “The state of Veracruz, the accumulated amount, and the complaints we have presented in the last years, are bigger than dealing with those of 16 states. He [Duarte] has never kept any promises. He says he used the money to manage the State.”

Duarte’s possible punishment - if the charges were to be confirmed - has not been discussed in any of the interviews. However, Portal added it would all be in the hands of the Ministerio Público. Back in December, Veracruz was named “The State Without Law” by Proceso magazine. Duarte has denied, and continues to deny all charges against him.