UIF blocks accounts of 25 individuals and 15 companies linked to electoral suppliers, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico City, Mexico): Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), part of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), has added 25 individuals and 15 companies linked to electoral suppliers to its Blocked Persons List after identifying financial transactions with risk indicators.
In a statement, the agency led by Édgar Amador Zamora said the measure followed several financial analyses. It clarified that the block is preventive and precautionary and does not constitute a definitive determination of responsibility for the individuals or companies involved.
Among the blocked accounts is reportedly that of Guadalupe Taddei, former president of the National Electoral Institute (INE), as well as those of businessmen José Alfredo and Raymundo Francisco Hernández Casillas, contractors of the electoral body.
Hacienda also said it filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) so that the detected financial movements can be investigated and any possible responsibilities determined.
The financial investigation involves brothers José Alfredo and Raymundo Francisco Hernández Casillas, businessmen linked to seven companies that have taken part in contracts for electoral materials. The named companies are Cajas Graf, Corporativo Zeg, Formas Finas y Materiales, Seriplast de México, Diseño Reconstrucción y Comunicación, Formas Finas Fernando Fernández and Comercializadora Grupo Selati.
The UIF had previously reported that it kept 70 bank accounts related to the inquiry into electoral suppliers blocked. Lines of investigation include possible schemes simulating competition in tenders, triangulation of resources and the use of companies with characteristics of invoice mills.
The award of multimillion-peso contracts to suppliers during Taddei’s tenure at the INE raised questions and allegations of possible corruption and conflicts of interest. Among cases reported by media were contracts granted to Cajas Graf, a company linked to José Alfredo Hernández Casillas, who was filmed on several occasions alongside Taddei when she was council president.
In response to the accusations, the Superior Audit of the Federation (ASF) announced an investigation covering the INE, officials, local electoral public bodies (OPLE), companies and businessmen.
Taddei announced on Sunday, October 25 that she would submit her resignation to the Chamber of Deputies the following day. The decision led to the appointment of Blanca Yassahara Cruz García as interim council president, along with statements from members of the General Council about Taddei’s treatment and the departure of officials close to her administration.
Cruz García later said that, in agreement with the 10 electoral councilors, they would notify the Attorney General’s Office about irregularities detected during the former council president’s tenure, which began in early April 2023.
According to the INE’s latest count, 30 officials have resigned, 17 of them from Taddei’s office.
Financial and electoral authorities are seeking to clarify the detected transactions and determine whether irregularities existed in the contracting and handling of resources. For now, the UIF stressed that the account block is a preventive measure and does not in itself constitute a declaration of guilt.
