Mexico corruption: Fugitive Chihuahua Governor 'stole cows'

The ex-governor of the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua, César Duarte, is suspected of stealing hundreds of cows bought with public money. Mr Duarte was declared a fugitive after leaving Mexico in March when he was accused of embezzling millions of pesos. He is believed to be hiding in the US. The latest allegations against him surfaced in official documents published by a non-governmental organisation fighting corruption. The cattle were bought with public funds and imported from New Zealand in 2015. The animals were meant to be handed over to small-scale ranchers in Chihuahua to repopulate their herds, which had been decimated by a drought. But the documents suggest that 903 out of the 1,408 animals imported into Chihuahua were taken to a ranch owned by Mr Duarte, with hundreds more being given to close political associates of his. According to the investigation by Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity, only 150 animals were given to needy ranchers...more

► Another good reason to keep the government out of the cow business.