23 Notaries Under Investigation in Quintana Roo

CHETUMAL — The government of Quintana Roo has announced the continuation of investigations into citizen complaints filed against public notaries. Currently, 23 notaries are under investigation for alleged irregularities in the performance of their duties, with the aim of determining responsibility.

The Secretary of Government, Cristina Torres Gómez, confirmed that the ongoing reviews are focused on ensuring compliance with current regulations. She clarified that, as a result, eight notaries have already been sanctioned with fines ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 pesos, depending on the severity of the irregularities detected. Proceedings are also underway to suspend two additional notaries.

"We are making progress, we have investigated about 23, sanctioned 8 already with fines and we are about to have 2 more receive administrative suspension sanctions," stated Torres Gómez. "These cases are currently being processed. If they are resolved, it won't escalate further, but if not, we will proceed. The reasons are for improper performance of their duties, not necessarily a crime, but for failing to comply with established procedures. We have fines ranging from 5,000 pesos up to 50,000 or 100,000 pesos, depending on the irregularities detected in the investigations."

The official in charge of internal policy for the state administration commented that most of the notaries under investigation are located in the northern zone of the state. Although no licenses have been revoked so far, she did not rule out taking that step if the situation warrants it. In the case of possible suspensions, these could last from 15 days to a year.

She shared that there are currently 124 active public notaries in the state, a number she stated is sufficient to meet citizen demand. Consequently, there are no plans to grant new licenses to open more notary offices, nor to appoint auxiliary notaries.

"There are no plans to grant any more notary positions, nothing. There are around 124 throughout the state, and that's enough," she stated. "Now, in the case of assistant notaries, the law establishes that it's only when the notary is unable to practice for 30 days; when there is a resignation, it's different, the assistant takes precedence, but that doesn't mean that the entire process for awarding the license doesn't have to be followed."

She noted that since last year, the state government has revealed the existence of administrative proceedings against public notaries who were denounced for engaging in fraudulent practices and irregularities that threaten the public interest. For this reason, authorities have insisted that the population report any misconduct that goes against notarial legality.