The Chapala city hall legal department is preparing to file charges against at least 16 former city officials.
The news emerged after Chapala Comptroller Tomás Eder Moranda Sánchez wrapped up his investigation into administrative and financial irregularities detected during the 2015-2018 administration.
Since November of last year, more than 30 senior public servants have been issued with notices to appear before Moranda to explain or justify anomalies uncovered in the examination of records and government property.
Although the officials under investigation have not been named – on the presumption of their innocence – Chapala Mayor Moisés Anaya confirmed that his predecessor Javier Degollado is among those listed as no-shows at the comptroller’s office.
The irregularities include missing files, inadequate documentation for expenditures and the disappearance of office equipment and official vehicles.
A team of lawyers is drawing up detailed complaints to be lodged with state and federal auditors, pertinent agencies in charge of government funding programs and, if appropriate, criminal justice authorities.