HOUSTON – Houston attorney Tony Buzbee has filed a lawsuit on behalf a Mexican state that alleges an ex-governor pocketed “hundreds of millions of dollars” in taxpayer funds, recent Harris County District Court records show.
The lawsuit, brought forth by the Free and Sovereign State of Veracruz De Ignacio De La Llave on Jan. 31, accuses Javier Duarte De Ochoa of absconding nearly $3 billion of his state’s money.
Duarte served as Veracruz governor from 2010 to 2016.
“Stolen money was used to make investments and purchase luxury homes and cars all over the United States,” the original petition says. “The money stolen by Duarte rightfully belongs to the people of the State of Veracruz.”
Duarte purportedly fled Mexico, but was later arrested in Guatemala. He is currently incarcerated in his home country.
The suit names 18 Shallowford PL., LLC; Jose A. Bandin, and Monica Babayan as co-defendants.
Harris County 334th District Court Case No. 2018-6745