García Luna & Wife Ordered to Pay $2.4 Billion
MIAMI – May 7, 2024 – Former Mexican Public Security Secretary, Genaro García Luna, and his wife, Linda cristina Pereyra, have been ordered to pay over $2.4 billion following a Miami civil case. The ruling stems from their involvement in an illegal contracting scheme that occurred within the Mexican goverment, as confirmed by Judge Lisa Walsh. This extensive judgment against Garcia Luna and his wife underscores the severity of the evidence, highlighting the illicit activities. The total sum will be returned to the Mexican government, revealing the court’s commitment to accountability.
Genaro García Luna and Wife Ordered to Pay $2.4 Billion in Miami Civil Case
A Miami civil court has ordered former Mexican Public Security Secretary genaro García Luna and his wife, Linda Cristina Pereyra, to pay more than $2.4 billion for their involvement in an illegal contracting scheme within the Mexican government.
The Ruling
Judge Lisa Walsh of the Civil Court of Miami, Florida, issued the judgment against García luna and Pereyra. The case centers around allegations of illicit enrichment through government contracts during García LunaS tenure as Secretary of Public Security.
Financial Penalties
According to journalist Peniley Ramírez, García Luna is responsible for $748 million of the total, while Cristina Pereyra is liable for $1.74 billion.
Did You Know?
Genaro García luna served as the Secretary of Public Security during the six-year term of former Mexican President Felipe Calderón (2006-2012).
Ramírez, author of The Millionaires of War, explained the basis for the judgment:
It is the money that is considered to rob the Mexican government along with other conspirators, in an illegal scheme in which contracts were made with the government. A good part of that money ended up washing in Miami.
Peniley Ramírez,Author of The millionaires of War
Return to Mexico
The ample sum is intended to be returned to the Mexican government,which acted as the plaintiff in the case. The civil lawsuit was initially filed on Sept. 21, 2021, in the Court of the eleventh Judicial Circuit of Miami-Dade County, Florida.
the Scheme
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has detailed how García Luna allegedly orchestrated a network to siphon public funds.
Pro Tip
Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) are government agencies responsible for collecting and analyzing information about financial transactions to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The FIU reported:
Under auspice of García Luna, a family business conglomerate that operates in different countries obtained 30 Contracts With various public security bodies in Mexico, from which public resources were extracted for an amount of 745.9 million dollars.
Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
These funds were reportedly transferred to the U.S., utilizing tax havens to conceal their origins, and were used to acquire properties in Florida.
FIU Inquiry
The FIU, under the Ministry of finance and Public Credit (SCHP), identified garcía Luna’s corruption network and its mode of operation
, leading to the inclusion of all involved parties on a list of blocked individuals on Dec. 24,2019.
Individuals Involved
besides García Luna and his wife, the FIU identified several other individuals allegedly involved in the scheme:
- Mauricio Samuel Weinberg López
- Jonathan Alexis Weinberg Pinto
- sylvia Donna Pinto de Weinberg
- Natan Wancier Taub
- José Francisco Niembro González
- Martha Virginia Nieto Guerrero de Niembro
Distinction from Drug Trafficking Case
This civil case is separate from the criminal case in the New York Eastern District Court, where García Luna was convicted of drug trafficking-related charges. During his tenure as Secretary of Security, he was found to have supported the Sinaloa cartel in exchange for bribes.
Criminal Sentencing
In October of last year, García Luna was sentenced to more than 38 years in prison for participating in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute, import, and possess cocaine, and making false statements.
Current Incarceration
García Luna is currently incarcerated at the Federal Prison USP Lee in Virginia, with a scheduled release date in 2052, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Reader Question
How will the Mexican government ensure the recovery of the $2.4 billion from García Luna and his wife?
