NEW YORK, NY — Mexico’s
former top security official is “very much looking forward” to fighting charges
he took tens of millions of dollars in drug-money bribes to protect Joaquin “El
Chapo” Guzman’s notorious Sinaloa cartel, a defense attorney said Tuesday.
Genaro Garcia Luna
“adamantly denies that he accepted any bribes” and is not interested in
negotiating a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department, defense attorney
Cesar de Castro told reporters.
“He intends to go to
trial,” de Castro said, adding Garcia Luna is in “very good spirits” .
De Castro’s remarks
followed a hearing in Brooklyn federal court in which U.S. District Judge Brian
Cogan urged prosecutors to begin handing over discovery to Garcia Luna’s
defense.
Prosecutors asked the
case be designated as “complex,” given the large volume of records involved,
including evidence they said would be “provided by foreign countries.”
Mexico recently
restricted Garcia Luna’s access to its financial system, de Castro said, a move
that could complicate his client’s efforts to fund his defense.
Prosecutors say Garcia
Luna amassed a fortune allowing Guzman’s narcotrafficking syndicate to operate
with impunity in Mexico. He is accused of accepting tens of millions of dollars
in bribes — often briefcases full of cash — to protect the Sinaloa cartel.
During Guzman’s New
York trial, jurors heard former cartel member Jesus Zambada testify that he
personally made at least $6 million in hidden payments to Garcia Luna, on
behalf of his older brother, cartel boss Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
Prosecutors say the
cartel sent multi-ton drug loads to New York and other American cities,
including the federal district covering Brooklyn and Queens.
Garcia Luna lived in
Miami before his arrest last month in Texas. He led Mexico’s Federal
Investigation Agency from 2001 to 2005, and from 2006 to 2012 served as
Mexico’s secretary of public security before relocating to the U.S.
Off topic - sorry
ReplyDeletejust to notify you of
Mexico drug war coverage on VICE https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/vb5jn8/mexicos-other-drug-war-is-addiction-and-its-rehabs-are-terrifying
and
article about Italian mafia, interesting statistics about money laundering and cocaine trafficking
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-mafia-is-more-powerful-than-it-s-ever-been?utm_source=pocket-newtab
gracias
Well if he isnt interested in a plea deal the Americans will give him the maximum penalty. Even el chapo couldnt escape.
ReplyDeleteNot guilty ja ja
ReplyDeleteFederal cases take 2 years to unravel.. 2 years of being in Federal prison will take a toll on his mind..Once he hears his wife continously repeat "I miss u", the macho man in him will fold..He will not stay silent and cover for past corrupt Presidents..He will get a similiar plea to Vicente Zamabada..I will bet the farm on this..
ReplyDeleteIt's a game of chicken. You're right, it's still early in the process especially claiming a complex case. I've known people who have have played chicken with the prosecution up until the trial is about to start to try and get the sweetest deal. Every one wants to avoid trial.
DeleteLol there overwhelming evidence, and he won't do a plea to reduce his sentence, what the hell does he think, he is in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteLMAO ! For reals 😄😄 He's got alot to learn about the U.S justice system. Once he gets hit with them football numbers he'll realize where the hell he is. His arrogance is gonna get him life in prison if he ain't careful. The U.S doesn't give a shit who he was in Mexico. He thinks just cause he had power in Mexico means he has power here.... 😄😄Sorry no tortilla 😄😄
DeleteI honestly don’t know why he is being tried in the US when he should be suffering in Mexico jails and punish for betrayals to both sides. To the people of Mexico and to the cartel
ReplyDeleteHe was involved in protecting a Cartel that was enriched with cartel money made on illegal drugs coming to America.
DeleteSeems like Amlo would like to hug him
DeleteHis israeli partners and his partner carlos slim helu will clear up all the confusion, and with the help of carlos salinas de gortari, FECAL, FOX and EPN, genarco may even get a Sainthood or a beatification, salinas bought a presidency in DOW JONES for 10 billion dollars, slim is a 70 billion dollar billionaire...talk about genarco garcia luna's golden retirement, Revista Indigo...Hey what about Facundo Rosas and Luis cardenas palomino?
ReplyDeleteHe made all that money on his salary as Security chief? Righttttttttt.
ReplyDeleteThis piece of garbage shit should be tortured.
ReplyDeleteWow he turned down a plea in fed ,that means thats it, no more deals,u only get one in fed.Correct me if im wrong but the gov has like a 95% conviction rate in trial, takes miniumum one yr to two but the gov always wins, look at chapo.
ReplyDeleteOh you best believe some has him by the balls and his family
ReplyDeleteThere is no way they can let this guy testify. Either he commits suicide or he is released based on some technicality, but there is no way they will let him spill the beans on the corruption at the top of the US and Mex!
ReplyDeletewell said but how
ReplyDelete