Background on Judith Aracely Gómez Molano
Judith Aracely Gómez Molano, a former high-ranking official in Mexico’s government, has been under scrutiny for her alleged involvement in the illegal acquisition of the Pegasus spyware by the then-Procurador General de la República (PGR) in 2014. Gómez Molano served as the then-PGR’s Official Mayor during Jesús Murillo Karam’s administration. Her career also includes roles such as secretary to Murillo Karam, coordinator at the Chamber of Deputies, and Official Mayor at the Secretaría de Desarrollo Agrario, Social y Urbano (Sedatu).
The Pegasus Case and Related Allegations
In May 2023, Gómez Molano was accused alongside three other officials of purchasing the Pegasus spyware at an inflated price. This case is not her only controversy; she has also faced allegations of overpaying for a Bombardier Challenger CL-600 private jet through a lease with Banobras, costing 19.6 million USD despite the real value being below 16 million. Additionally, she was charged with authorizing the misappropriation of 852 million pesos between 2013 and 2014 to buy vehicles equipped with surveillance technology, using funds meant for “Public and National Security Expenses.”
FGR’s Investigation Against Judge Alejandra Domínguez Santos
The Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) has initiated an investigation against Judge Alejandra Domínguez Santos, who dismissed a request to prosecute Gómez Molano for her alleged involvement in the Pegasus case. The FGR claims that Domínguez Santos committed possible offenses against the administration of justice, including misuse of authority, embezzlement, fraud, criminal association, and participation in an illegal purchase worth 460 million pesos to the public treasury.
Reasons for Investigation
The FGR stated that Domínguez Santos not only failed to supervise the contract but also actively participated in an operation that “seriously damaged public assets” and unjustifiably benefited the supplier without any risk, urgency, or confidentiality justification.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Judith Aracely Gómez Molano? She is a former high-ranking Mexican government official who served as the then-PGR’s Official Mayor during Jesús Murillo Karam’s administration. She has been accused of involvement in the illegal acquisition of Pegasus spyware and other financial controversies.
- What is the Pegasus case about? The Pegasus case involves allegations that Gómez Molano and others illegally acquired the Pegasus spyware in 2014 while she was working for the then-PGR. The FGR accuses her of misusing authority and embezzlement related to this case.
- Why is Judge Alejandra Domínguez Santos under investigation? The FGR is investigating Judge Domínguez Santos for possible offenses against the administration of justice, including misuse of authority and embezzlement, after she dismissed a request to prosecute Gómez Molano in the Pegasus case.
