US extradites former Mexican governor to face corruption charges

June 2, 2022Updated: June 2, 2022 4:52 p.m.

FILE – Governor of Mexico’s northern border state of Chihuahua Cesar Duarte attends the 30th annual border governors conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico October 5, 2012. Mexico’s foreign relations department said on Thursday June 2, 2022 that Duarte had been sent back to Mexico to face corruption charges stemming from his tenure.Susan Montoya Bryan

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The United States has extradited a former governor of the Mexican border state to his homeland, where he is accused of embezzling millions of dollars in public funds.

César Duarte, who was governor of the state of Chihuahua, was sent back to Mexico to face corruption charges stemming from his tenure.

Mexico’s foreign relations department said Thursday that Duarte would face charges roughly equivalent to those of embezzlement and conspiracy in Mexico. The charges relate to nearly $5 million in public funds that Duarte allegedly took during his 2010-2016 tenure.

Duarte’s attorneys said the charges were politically motivated.

Mexico requested Duarte’s extradition in late 2019.

The former governor, a member of the former Institutional Revolutionary Party, unsuccessfully sought asylum in the United States shortly before being arrested in Miami in July 2020.

Duarte moved to the United States with his family after leaving office.