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MEXICO-JUSTICE-CORRUPTION-NIETO
Former Mexico leader Nieto investigated for graft: WSJ
MEXICO CITY, Feb 20, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Former Mexican president Enrique
Pena Nieto is being investigated over a graft scandal at the country’s
massive state oil company Pemex, the Wall Street Journal has reported.
The probe relates to the conduct of the firm’s former chief executive
Emilio Lozoya, who was arrested in Spain last week and faces extradition over
claims he accepted millions of dollars in bribes.
An unnamed senior judicial official told the Journal that Lozoya’s
corruption “reached the highest level” and implicated Nieto, who left office
in late 2018.
The ex-leader could be charged as the investigation continued, according
to the official quoted in the newspaper’s Wednesday report.
Lozoya is wanted in Mexico for involvement in a vast corruption scandal
involving Odebrecht, a Brazilian construction firm accused of paying almost a
billion dollars to politicians across Latin America to win lucrative
contracts.
He allegedly began taking payments from the company in 2012, when he was
chief international strategist for Nieto who at the time was running for
president.
Part of the money was allegedly used to finance Nieto’s campaign. Lozoya
denies the accusations against him.
Pemex is Mexico’s largest firm but has been beleaguered by more than $100
billion in debt, making it one of the world’s most indebted companies.
BSS/AFP/MSY/2001 hrs