Mexican Official Denies Son Had Part in Slaying

Mexico’s tourism secretary, Carlos Hank Gonzalez, publicly denied Thursday that his son had any role in the sensational 1988 murder of a prominent journalist here, and also said he has never used his influence to obstruct the investigation of the homicide.

“I know absolutely that my son did not participate in this deed, which we all regret,” Hank said at a news conference here during which he principally addressed a series of tourism initiatives for the state of Baja California.

Hank, who holds the cabinet-level post of tourism secretary and is a former mayor of Mexico City and governor of Mexico state, is considered one of Mexico’s wealthiest and most influential men.

During the question-and-answer session, a number of journalists asked about the murder of Hector (Gato) Felix Miranda, who was gunned down in April, 1988, as he drove to his job at the weekly newspaper Zeta.

Son Mentioned as Suspect

Since the murder, Zeta has publicly named Jorge Hank Rhon, son of the tourism secretary, as a prime suspect in the case. The younger Hank, president of Caliente Racetrack here, has denied any role in the slaying. Police have never questioned him in connection with the case--a fact that the younger Hank and authorities say demonstrates his innocence.

In its columns, Zeta and its editor, J. Jesus Blancornelas have maintained that police here refused to investigate the younger Hank’s possible role in the slaying because of his father’s position. Authorities here have adamantly denied any cover-up.

The two prime suspects in the case are former security officials at the racetrack, police say. One has been tried and is awaiting a finding of guilt or innocence and sentencing. The other is a fugitive.

The elder Hank, in his first public comments on the case, said he made no effort to use his influence to block any investigation.