Genaro Garcia Luna Ordered to Pay $748 Million in Corruption Ruling
A Florida court has ruled that Genaro Garcia Luna, Mexico’s former head of public security, must pay over $748 million to the Mexican government for his alleged role in widespread corruption. This decision concludes a civil case initiated in September 2021, in which the Mexican government accused Garcia Luna—currently serving a 38-year sentence in a U.S. prison for accepting bribes from the Sinaloa cartel—of stealing taxpayer funds and facilitating money laundering.
Judge Lisa Walsh’s ruling not only targets Garcia Luna but also holds his wife, Linda Cristina Pereyra, liable for an additional $1.7 billion, bringing the total financial judgment to nearly $2.4 billion. The court found that the couple concealed stolen funds and laundered money through offshore accounts in locations like Barbados and the U.S.
The complaint, spearheaded by former Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, alleges that Garcia Luna diverted government resources to finance a lavish lifestyle, including real estate and classic cars. Additionally, he was accused of using his position to assist the Sinaloa cartel, providing them with sensitive information and resources, which enabled drug trafficking operations.
Garcia Luna’s defense has claimed he is a legitimate businessman living in Florida, maintaining his innocence in all allegations. However, in February 2023, a federal jury convicted him in New York on serious drug charges. Notably, he remains the highest-ranking Mexican official convicted in the U.S. for corruption and cartel-related offenses.
As the legal proceedings continue, the Mexican government has expressed its commitment to seeking restitution for the extensive corruption crises that have plagued the country for years.
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