INE Files Criminal Charges Against Former President Taddei Over Corruption Allegations
The electoral body seeks legal action following reports of bribery and illicit procurement networks.
1Criminal Charges Initiated
The National Electoral Institute (INE) is preparing a formal criminal complaint for the Attorney General's Office (FGR). The legal team is finalizing accusations against former president Guadalupe Taddei and others involved in a corruption network. Charges include illicit use of powers, influence peddling, embezzlement, and illicit enrichment involving institutional resources.
2Evidence from Recorded Conversations
Journalist Carlos Loret de Mola released videos featuring contractor José Alfredo Hernández Casillas discussing bribes with Taddei. The footage, recorded in February, alleges that the company La Cosmopolitana paid 1.5 million pesos monthly to operate INE cafeterias. These recordings serve as central evidence for the ongoing investigation into the former president.
3Contractual Bribery Mechanisms
A contract signed in April 2025 between Productos Serel and the INE for cafeteria operations in Mexico City and Pachuca is under scrutiny. The agreement, valued at 112 million pesos, allegedly involved a 15% kickback scheme. Reports suggest this percentage amounts to nearly 17 million pesos diverted through institutional officials.
4Corporate Ties and Payments
Productos Serel is a subsidiary of the Cosmos group, owned by businessman Jack Landsmanas. The contractor claimed that an additional 15% of the contract value was being paid to another unnamed party. Landsmanas has previously secured multi-billion peso government food contracts, raising questions about the broader scope of these financial irregularities.
5Preventive Detention Risks
Counselor Arturo Castillo highlighted that current constitutional provisions mandate preventive detention for corruption-related offenses. This measure, promoted during the previous administration, aims to prevent suspects from evading justice during investigations. Consequently, those implicated in the INE corruption network face the possibility of remaining in custody while legal proceedings are conducted.
6Auditing Institutional Procurement
The INE General Council will request an extensive audit from the Superior Audit Office of the Federation (ASF). This review will cover all acquisitions, leases, and services provided to the institute between 2016 and 2026. The ASF will independently determine the scope, sampling methods, and specific procedures for this fiscal investigation.
7Integrity and Continuity Measures
To maintain operational stability, the INE approved a Critical Action Plan to ensure the continuity of essential contracts for the current electoral process. The institute is also reviewing its entire supplier registry and establishing a new mechanism for receiving information regarding potential findings, aiming to restore institutional integrity and transparency.
8Future Legal Implications
The formal complaint filed by the INE does not rule out the investigation of other administrative periods beyond Taddei's tenure. As the FGR begins its inquiry, the focus remains on dismantling the identified corruption network. The outcome will depend on the evidence provided by the ASF audits and the ongoing judicial proceedings.