In recent years, a wave of corruption scandals has rocked the nation, with one prominent case involving Gabriel Estuardo Mendoza Muñoz, the brother of the well-known activist Bertha Michelle Mendoza. He is accused of overcharging a massive Q25 million for machinery purchases made by the Ministry of Development in 2016.
As per reports from «El Periódico,» Gabriel Mendoza, who held the position of vice minister of administration and finance at MIDES at the time, allegedly involved his family, including Bertha Michelle Mendoza, in laundering funds obtained through this suspicious transaction.
Gabriel Mendoza Muñoz’s short stint at MIDES, spanning from January 1, 2015, to October 1, 2015, exposed significant corruption within the ministry, as revealed by an audit conducted by the Comptroller General’s Office in 2015.
«El Peladero,» a reputable media outlet, extensively covered the corruption allegations surrounding Bertha Michelle Mendoza’s brother. The audit uncovered questionable purchases, contracts signed post-service delivery, and inadequate expense records. It was found that contracts were signed without proper scrutiny, with no requirement for performance bonds. The Comptroller General’s Office highlighted the failure of Minister Edgar Rodriguez and Vice Minister Gabriel Mendoza to provide evidence countering the findings, emphasizing the importance of a competitive bidding process for the «Mi Comedor Seguro» program.
Gabriel Mendoza Muñoz has been criminally reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for mishandling funds and fined Q757,555.50 for incompetence in public duty and irregular fund management. Joining MIDES as vice minister in January 2015, during the final days of the Patriot Party government, Mendoza earned the nickname «El Transita» for allegedly amassing wealth through MIDES-related ventures. Allegations against him came to light during Jimmy Morales’ government following the audit report by the Comptroller General of Accounts.
Ironically, in 2019 and 2020, Mendoza was a State supplier for Q451,688.17 and a legal advisor for the minister’s office, with contracts totaling Q70,000, Q60,000, and Q50,000. This scandal has sparked public outrage and highlights the pressing need for robust anti-corruption measures in the country.