Mexicali Mayor Gustavo Sanchez received Wednesday a sculpture donated by businessman and politician Víctor Hermosillo.
The sculpture was donated by the businessman company Hermosillo y Asociados, an architectural firm.
Hermosillo —also a Mexican Senator— installed the art piece at Plaza Centenario Square by the New River Boulevard.
Mayor Sánchez thanked the senator for his donation.
Sen. Hermosillo has been involved in controversy after the state approved a multi-million Public-Private Partnership with the company.
The work of art is similar to Robert Indiana’s LOVE one in New York City and it actually reads Amor, or love in Spanish, in red-colored letters.
Police officer arrested
An off-duty Mexicali police officer was arrested days ago after discharging a weapon inside a local casino, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
In a press release, authorities said the suspect was identified as José Ramón “Doe,” 33.
The police said the firearm was not assigned officially to the cop.
The suspect was arrested by Mexicali police agents after the shooting.
Mexicali Police Chief Alonso Méndez said every officer that incurs in criminal acts or behaves outside the law will be processed under the due process rule.
“No similar act will be tolerated as we have clear that our duty is to get rid of corruption and to clean the agency of the bad agents who discredit the name of our institution,” he said. “Although we have excellent officers, there are some cases like this one that are no way justified.”
Chief Méndez said the agent was suspended while an investigation is made by the City Comptroller’s office.
Committee approves Penal Code amendment
State lawmakers approved Wednesday a bill to modify the Penal Code in order to increase penalties on public officials who fail to submit pension and healthcare fees to the appropriate agency.
The bill was introduced by Assemblywoman Victoria Bentley, a Mexicali member of the National Action Party.
The proponent led until few weeks ago the State Public Employee Union.
The measure was approved by legislators with the Justice Commission.
The bill, if enacted, would impose more severe penalties on public and appointed officials who fail to submit fees for three consecutive months.
State law imposes penalties of up to eight years in prison and fines of $1778 to violators.
Bentley proposed to increase those penalties by half.
The bill goes now to the Assembly Floor.
