Granier's corruption was an open secret

Ricardo Aleman for El Universal June 13. 3013

Granier Clan

Translated by un vato for Borderland Beat

In Tabasco, even the most uninformed knew about the thievery of the Granier clan and his kin. In reality, the looting was an open secret, as well as the fact that some of the governor's appointees were simply window dressing, while "friends" and "relatives" were the real bosses who were dividing up the plunder.

And of course -- that's the way it should be!-- for Granier, his family occupied first place in the "pinata" that El Quimico's [the "Chemist," his nickname] government became; El Quimico, a rock politician that sold himself well with the mask of "citizen governor", because at the start of his political career, he denied being a PRI partisan, which helped him coax a good part of the public's and voters' opinion.

However, it's not true that El Quimico discovered the philosopher's stone that transforms garbage into gold. No, no, he didn't go that far.  Actually, he took advantage of close friendships with reputable men in power and in Tabasco politics -- and national politics -- to become mayor and then to become the most corrupt governor.

And contrary to what many think, Mr. Granier also developed that difficult art of Yucatan culture, calling himself "compadre" (intimate friend) of the current governor (of Tabasco), Arturo Nunez, and of the current coordinator for PRI senators, Emilio Gamboa, among many others who today could save his life.

But it turns out that, for Tabasco politicians and potentates, it was no surprise that, day after day, Governor Granier would utter his favorite phrases when talking about the excesses of his son Fabiancito and the grotesque frivolities of his daughters Paulina and Mariana. "If I have to give my life for my children, I will give it," he would say.

Today we know that Granier appeared voluntarily and without a judicial protective order before federal authorities, not because he thinks anybody believes in his innocence, but because his children asked him to. They demanded that he "clean up the family name." And like any loving father, he chose jail for himself  above prison for his children.

And the truth is that the core of the structure that led to the most scandalous plundering of Tabasco public funds is located precisely in the Granier family. Fabian Granier -- "Fabiancito" to those close to him -- was also known as "El Papayo" [literally: "Dad, I..."], because he believed not just in his talents as a "ladies' man" and "the power behind the throne", he also used to say "Papa, yo quiero...", "Papa, yo hago...", "Papa, yo...". ("Dad, I want...", Dad,...I will...", Dad, I...")

In that manner, El Papayo  cultivated a close relationship with Amilcar Sala Villanueva, ambitious and prosperous businessman who convinced Fabiancito to, in turn, convince his governor father -- Andres Granier -- to appoint Jose Manuel Saiz Pineda as Secretary of Finance.

As we have stated in earlier columns, Saiz Pineda was an expert money launderer for businesses in the southwest (of Mexico), among them those belonging to Amilcar Sala. In fact, the idea of appointing him Secretary of Finance was precisely to launder money.

Once the basic tripod was in place -- Fabian Granier, Amilcar Sala and Jose Manuel Saiz--, the plan for plunder was ready. Then began the parallel businesses, the diversion of funds, the dummy purchases.

In effect, Amilcar Sala was the real Secretary of Finance, while Fabian Granier was "the power behind the throne". "El papayo" would distribute loads of cash; he would decide budget items, he bought communications media and legislators, while his parties in Las Vegas were memorable, squandering money with open hands.

At the same time, Amilcar Sala would brag that his real estate holdings were rising like froth, as was (of course) his taste for luxury cars, such as a gorgeous Lamborghini. But that was in the beginning.



The opulent of  Granier's son

Then came audacity and the big leagues. An official source states that soon after the start of the Granier administration, Humberto Mayans, then Secretary of Government -- today, PRI senator --, and Carlos Pineda "El Pelon" Pineda, Jose Manuel Saiz Pineda's uncle, joined the trio.

The entry of Mayans and Sainz Pineda into the clan created the most powerful group for plundering public money and for dirty deals, while at the same time controlling politicians and communications media.

And that's because Andres Granier, along with Carlos Pineda, Humberto Mayans and Ignacio "Nacho" Cobo -- the right hand of Carlos Slim --, are "compadres", partners and owners of the newspapers Diario Presente and Formula Tabasco,  two of the most influential communications media in the state. In other words, Governor Granier's clan had total control for stealing.

And they bought and bought land, in Tabasco, Cancun, Yucatan, Miami (Florida), and a paradise in Barcelona de las Indias, Colombia, in the Cartagena de las Indias metropolitan zone. In particular, El Quimico purchased art, a lot of art, which he treasures with the same love he showers on his children. But there's much more...