Mexican Audit Agency Files Criminal Complaint Against Talleres Gráficos Over Irregularities
State-run printing agency faces legal action following millions in unexplained payments and procurement failures.
1Criminal Complaint Filed
The Auditoría Superior de la Federación filed a criminal complaint against Talleres Gráficos de México with the Fiscalía General de la República. This action follows the detection of 60 million pesos in unjustified payments. Authorities identified irregularities during the 2024 tenure of former director Maribel Aguilera Cháirez regarding sensitive procurement processes.
2Unjustified Tech Contracts
Talleres Gráficos awarded a direct contract to Conix Technologies for chips and PVC cards without a competitive bidding process. Although 60 million pesos were paid, the goods remained in the supplier's warehouse as of December 2025. An additional 8 million pesos intended for personnel salaries remain entirely unverified by the agency.
3Subcontracting Without Agreements
The agency, overseen by the Secretaría de Gobernación, bypassed formal contracts for materials used in the June 1, 2025, judicial election. Instead of signing legal agreements, the entity relied on informal requirement notes to pay various suppliers for paper and printing supplies. Auditors classified this lack of documentation as a significant irregularity.
4Historical Pattern of Misconduct
Investigations reveal that between 2017 and 2021, Talleres Gráficos issued 32 contracts totaling over 278 million pesos to companies linked to the Taddei clan. These entities are currently under investigation by the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera for potential simulation of competition, highlighting a long-standing pattern of questionable procurement practices within the state agency.
5Broader Electoral Audit
The Auditoría Superior de la Federación has expanded its scope to conduct a historical study of acquisitions by the INE, the defunct IFE, and local electoral bodies from 2000 to 2025. This intelligence effort aims to identify systemic patterns of illegal practices, supplier concentration, and financial mismanagement across Mexico's entire electoral administrative structure.
6Proposed Institutional Reform
President Claudia Sheinbaum plans to issue a decree to strengthen Talleres Gráficos as a state-owned company. The proposal involves integrating academic institutions like the UNAM, IPN, and UAM into its Board of Administration. The objective is to centralize the production of electoral materials and reduce reliance on private sector contractors.
7Expert Skepticism on Viability
Specialists, including Eduardo Bohórquez of Transparencia Mexicana, argue that the government's plan is disproportionate and potentially unviable. Critics warn that without a robust institutional design and social consultation, the agency risks becoming a financial burden similar to previous state projects like Mexicana de Aviación or the Megafarmacia del Bienestar.
8Future Oversight Challenges
The transition of Talleres Gráficos into a central state provider faces significant scrutiny due to its recent legal troubles. Success depends on whether the government can implement transparent management practices. Observers are now watching to see if the proposed academic oversight can effectively mitigate the corruption risks identified by federal auditors.