Mexicali, August 23.- State Welfare Coordinator Valeria Osegueda Herrera was dismissed after an audio recording was leaked in which she is allegedly heard telling a citizen to withdraw her social benefits if he does not support candidate Adán Augusto López.
Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda expressed regret for the actions of the state coordinator, whom she said she immediately asked to resign and instructed the Secretariat of Honesty and Public Administration to initiate an investigation.
"I was very clear, we are a different government. The Welfare programs are for everyone and cannot be subject to conditions," the governor stated.
He said he had already warned officials that they should not threaten to condition social support, or they would be forced to leave his government.
Ávila Olmeda defended the head of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Nezahualcóyotl Jáuregui Santillán, stating that he was unaware of the situation, but added that the investigation would surely reach him.
For his part, Jáuregui Santillán denied that Osegueda Herrera was his right-hand woman, but acknowledged hiring the now former official in the current government.
"There are people who don't understand what government they work for; there are people who make mistakes, make decisions, and are responsible for them," Jáuregui said, distancing himself from the accusations
