Mexican Municipalities Under Investigation for Misused Public Funds

An audit by the Superior Auditing Body uncovered that the municipal government of San Pablo Apetatitlán could not account for roughly 601.8 million pesos and had made numerous irregular payments, including 187.7 million pesos for improper expenses, 95.3 million pesos for salaries for services not rendered, and 318.8 million pesos for overpriced goods and services. The report also listed irregular procurements such as hiring a musical group, catering for 1,500 people, and vehicle‑maintenance contracts without public bidding, as well as budget overruns and overdrafts.

In the state of Baja California, the Congress approved the 2023 public account of the State Water Commission (CEA) despite a contentious debate lasting more than an hour and a last‑minute change in the voting direction. Lawmakers highlighted several irregularities, including tax‑withholding omissions, direct award contracts, 1.166 billion pesos in outstanding receivables, and a misrecorded 12.5 million pesos. The CEA’s audit gave it a score of 57 out of 100, noted nine recurring faults and ten recommendations, and raised concerns about construction projects carried out on irregular land during a previous administration.