Spain drops all charges against former PRI chief Humberto Moreira

Lucio R. and C.E. Martinez for Borderland Beat

One could see the writing on the wall in the Humberto Moreira case, when  Spanish prosecutors, dropped the appeal objecting to bail. And did so without explanation.

Today, the judge in the case, Santiago Pedraz, agreed to the provisional dismissal of the case opened against Humberto Moreira, former president of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and former governor of the state of Coahuila, Mexico. Humberto Moreira,  led Coahuila from 2005 to 2011, when he resigned to make his successful  run for the PRI presidency.

Judge Pedaz in his ruling did not find that Humberto was innocent of money laundering; rather he says it was Mexico’s burden to prove, or the United States, not Spain.  He also said Spain has no jurisdiction to investigate or charge Humberto with having ties to organized crime (Zetas).

The infamous politician was arrested on January 15 in Madrid, accused of money laundering, embezzlement of public funds, bribery and belonging to a criminal organization.  He was released from prison on bail on January 23rd and returned home on February 4th.

He then not only publicly declared his innocence, but also stated his intentions of returning to politics, and may make a run for the governorship of Coahuila.

Coahuila is the Mexican state, once flourishing and financially sound with a top credit rating.  That’s before Moreira became governor and the money disappeared along with the good credit rating.

Two of his alleged  conspirators in financial improprieties, sit in U.S. prisons.   Héctor Javier Villarreal Hernández, once the treasurer of Coahuila plead guilty to money laundering  charges.  Also Rolando González Treviño, the Coahuila media mogul, accused of laundering millions.  It is guessed that either or both men would testify against Humberto if he ever were to be tried in the U.S.

Moreira’s brother, Ruben was voted into office following Humberto’s resignation, but for a year prior to elections, Jorge Juan Torres López, was interim governor.  He is also wanted, to face charges of money laundering.

If Humberto would have been tried in Spain, it was expected that the U.S. may file charges against him and ask for extradition.   Many of Humberto’s “front” businesses are in the U.S. and U.S. banks were used as the middle point for triangulation point for wire transfers, including those sent to Spain.

When Humberto was given bail in Spain, the prosecutor initially vowed to fight ruling vigorously.  

It was at this time the PRI party came to the defense of Humberto.  They sent an attorney team to Spain with “proof” the two companies the funds originated from, were bonafide companies.  They argues that 200k USD was not an exorbitant amount of money for the family to live on during their time in Spain.

The prosecutor dropped the appeal. 

Humberto quickly left Spain and returned to Mexico where he announced his intentions of running for political office, and had his eyes set on Coahuila.  His brothers term expires in 2017.

As for the two front businesses in question, the site of one has long been empty, the other is not the PR business that t is supposed to be, but a 3 bay car wash in Saltillo.  Neither or together are capable of the type of revenue, from  generating  profits, that were  sent to Humberto in Spain.

Furthermore, he does not list eith of the “businesses” anywhere on his income tax returns.