33 Mexicans under investigation over “Panama Papers”

Aristóteles Núñez, head of the Tax Administration Service (SAT), said that 33 people are under investigation over the "Panama Papers" and that 18 of them are under investigation for previous cases and two in other countries.

Núñez explained that the 33 people under investigation have not been notified because authorities must determine first if they indeed evaded taxes. In a radio interview with Ciro Gómez Leyva, he added that the investigation could last between 12 and 24 months.

He also said that the people under investigation will have the option to get their fines quashed if they return their capital to Mexico and keep it in the country for three years provided the funds are licit.

Núñez said that the SAT opened an investigation against Óscar Fernando Trujano Sandoval, who works for the Tax Administration Service and is one of the Mexicans mentioned in the “Panama Papers” (SAT).

Grupo Salinas, owned by Ricardo Salinas Pliego, who allegedly hired an offshore firm in the Virgin Islands to buy a yatch, said to EL UNIVERSAL that “all the financial operations of Mr. Salinas Pliego are made in strict accordance with law."

In the case of Televisa, Alfonso de Angoitia, executive vice president of the largest Spanish- language broadcaster, said that there was nothing improper or unlawful in the purchase of a company in Bahamas.

He added that he will ask financial authorities in Bahamas and Canada documents to prove that he never did, either directly or indirectly, transfers, deposits or financial transactions in those countries.