The state Attorney General said authorities seek a 16-year prison term for former state officials involved in a controversial solar plant project
Baja California Attorney General Ricardo Iván Carpio said the agency seeks the maximum penalty of 16 years in prison for those former state officials involved in the solar plant project.
In a press conference held Wednesday in Tijuana, Carpio said the agency is also looking to impede former officials from holding public office for two decades.
Six out of eight former state officials allegedly involved in the project were indicted this week by a state judge.
The judge decided not to indict former State Secretary of Government Amador Rodríguez, who now works for Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration.
Senator and former Governor Jaime Bonilla was not indicted either due to holding a legal shield against elected officials named constitutional privilege.
“We must protect and defend people’s patrimony,” Carpio said. “We must show with genuine and blunt actions our proposal seeks to comply with the law and attack impunity.”
Although the six former state officials were indicted Tuesday, the judge in the case decided to allow four of the suspects to remain out of prison and just sign in court every month.
Authorities said the other two were required to visit court under judge request.
Agreement
The former officials, including those holding water and infrastructure offices, were involved in the signing of agreements with Next Energy company to build Latin America’s largest solar plant.
Due to lack of city and federal permits the project never came to fruition.
However, Afirme Banco bank was able to temporarily withhold federal funds from the state based on contract terms. Eventually, the back settled down the issue by returning funds and avoiding court proceedings from the state.
Carpio highlighted the need to achieve exemplary punishment for those who utilizing their legal attributions caused damage to Baja Californians patrimony.
The Attorney General assured prosecutors are gathering additional evidence in order to obtain the maximum penalty. The agency was provided by the judge two additional months in order to close the investigation.
Former Governor censored
A commission of the National Regeneration Movement Party National Committee issued a warning censoring former Governor Jaime Bonilla for his harsh remarks against successor Marina Avila.
The warning was issued by the Commission of Honesty and Justice for Bonilla’s statements related to the criminal incidents that left several transit buses burned.
A complaint was filed by Francisco Javier Tenorio.
Bonilla, a Mexican Senator, was ordered to abstain from expressing unfounded opinions against other members or public officials.
In August, the Mexican lawmaker said in the Senate the incidents were caused as retaliation against Avila’s administration failure to comply with agreements.
The complaint included a request to suspend Senator Bonilla as party member, but the commission denied the request.
The warning was issued Tuesday by commission members.
Te puede interesar: Mexican energy commission plant questioned
