Donald E. Felsinger, Debra L. Reed and Jessie Knight, who are executive board directors from Sempra Energy Inc., are being investigated by the Mexican authorities after accusations were made, that is accusing them for crimes such as money laundering, tax fraud and smuggling.

The Federal Tax attorney and the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, has begun an investigation after a formal complaint was presented by Felipe Ruanova Zarate, who makes arguments of the company simulating acts of importation, to export under the alleged "maquila" when the reality is something else.

The complaint indicates that gas and electricity never leave the country, but instead are sold to companies here in Mexico.

This is detrimental to the fiscal treasury, because this company at an average reports about 13 billion pesos in earnings annually, and this causes many problems that don't only included tax evasion, but it also teaches other companies that its ok to commit fiscal crimes, like in the case with the multinational Royal Dutch Shell.

Ruanova also adds, that the company's board headquarters is located in Ensenada, Baja California, in the mansion better known as Casa Azul, which is the address that is used by the company is several messages, and where it is believed to be the place where they have constituted fraudulent trusts, composed false information dealing with transfers, falsified documentation and left out earnings information to gain an unfair advantage on paying taxes.

In reference to money laundering, some accounts of different banks from different countries were mentioned like: Union Bank of California, Royal Bank of Canada, Rabobank, UBS Caiman Island, Bank of America, Banque Bruxelles Lambert SA, Dresdner Bank, The Toronto Dominion Bank, Bank of America, and United European Bank.

The accusations made also mention Erika Elorduy; daughter of the ex-governor of Baja California Eugenio Elordy, also David Lozano and ex-secretaries of Communications and Transport Carlos Ruiz Sacristan and Luis Tellez Kuenzler.

In response to the complaint of the accusations present to the Tax Attorney on September 25, the deputy federal prosecutor of investigations, Ramon Ignacio Cabrera Leon, said "I refer to your letter, addressed to the head of this institution, this complaint whereby various possible acts that would constitute illegal, including smuggling, tax evasion and money laundering of Sempra Energy was referred for processing to this Deputy Prosecutor office, as well as its diverse targets undersigned."

Adding "As for the second paragraph, it points out to that ratification as referred under the law, so it is unnecessary to start the process before this instance; now, regarding the appointment to provide witnesses and produce documents, that he can display them during the pendency of this matter.

For the third part, I express to you that this authority will act based on the information that is studied and gathered in the administrative investigation, any filed complaints, declarations or declarations of prejudice referred to federal tax law in effect at the Federal Public Ministry, the body which the Constitution gives exclusive power to investigate crimes and criminal action by a competent Criminal Court".

Editorial@sandiegored.com

Translation : Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com