Elections Watchdog Fines PRI $90 Million
Election officials voted to fine the former ruling party more than $90 million for allegedly using government funds to finance its 2000 presidential campaign.
Institutional Revolutionary Party leaders vowed to appeal the fine, which could prove crippling in July congressional elections. The PRI ruled for 71 years until it lost power in 2000.
Prosecutors say officials from the state oil monopoly gave or lent tens of millions of dollars to the oil company’s union, which then transferred it to PRI coffers. The PRI, which has denied the charges, is set to receive $127 million in public funds this year.
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