August 6th, 2020

The Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) can formally formulate an accusation against the former head of the Social Development Secretariat, Rosario Robles, since the judge who arrives the case, Felipe de Jesús Delgadillo Padierna, requested the defense de Robles clarify if he will request a new extension for the closing of the complementary investigation period.

On August 3, the judge determined that the former civil servant's lawyers no longer had arguments to extend the term.

“On March 13, 2020, the defendant's private defense requested an extension of the complementary investigation for a period of 30 days (…), the federal prosecutor's office and the General Legal Director of the Legal Affairs Unit of the Superior Audit Office of the Federation held various demonstrations to oppose the request. "

"By means of a provision dated August 3, the defense, as well as the accused, were required to specify whether it was their intention to continue with the claim to request an extension of the complementary investigation, with the understanding that only the terms were suspended, not thus the procedural activity of the parties to continue with the investigation acts ”.

The defense response, which was released today, asks the judge to close the complementary investigation, which gives the FGR a free pass to formalize an accusation against Rosario Robles, who is currently carrying out criminal proceedings for the improper exercise of the public service related to anomalous contracts in the diversion scheme known as the Master Scam. Therefore, in accordance with article 324 of the National Code of Criminal Procedures, the FGR has 15 days to present its accusation in writing or, otherwise, request the suspension of the process. If the Attorney General's Office decides to present its accusation in writing, which is the most likely to occur, ask the judge for an intermediate hearing date in which both parties will offer evidence.

Staff

Héctor Castañeda

Translator: Martín Caballero