$148M Irregularities Found in Playa del Carmen Ex-Mayor’s Term

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — The Office of the Comptroller in Playa del Carmen is investigating irregularities allegedly committed during the administration of former Mayor Lili Campos Miranda, which may have caused a financial loss of over 148 million pesos ($148 million). The findings were disclosed by Comptroller Cristina Alcérreca, who stated that the anomalies were identified through internal audits and observations from the Superior Audit Office of the State of Quintana Roo (Aseqroo) in the 2023 Public Account, which remains unresolved by the previous administration.

183 Open Cases for Alleged Irregularities

As of the first quarter of 2025, the Directorate of Administrative Investigations and Responsibilities of the Internal Control Unit has opened 183 cases for potential serious administrative violations. Of these, 15 were initiated under the current administration, while 12 were referred by Aseqroo due to irregularities inherited from the previous government.

The departments with the highest observed discrepancies include:

• Entertainment Unit: $91,185,737.68
• Human Resources: $31,930,000.00
• Municipal Public Services: $14,257,681.08
• Media Communications: $4,638,872.48
• Environment: $3,899,950.00
• Public Safety: $2,505,600.00

Additionally, Aseqroo is reviewing 18 further observations from the same fiscal year, totaling $174 million, which could further increase the financial impact on public funds.

More Anomalies Detected During Transition

During the handover process, the current administration, led by Mayor Estefanía Mercado, has initiated 36 new cases for suspected irregularities, reaffirming its commitment to legality, transparency, and accountability.

Federal Audits Uncover Over $400 Million in Irregularities

The municipality is also monitoring findings from the Federal Superior Audit Office (ASF), which include:

• $248,430,388.56 in federal revenue-sharing funds (2021 fiscal year)
• $79,668,125.23 from Fortamun and other revenue-sharing programs (2022 fiscal year)
• $90,483,537.15 from the 2023 fiscal year, still under review

"No Impunity," Warns Comptroller

"The public has the right to know how their resources were used. Today, we act with technical rigor and institutional responsibility. There will be no impunity. Every peso that was not properly accounted for must be clarified or returned to the people," emphasized Municipal Comptroller Cristina Alcérreca.

The Playa del Carmen municipal government reiterated that transparency is an everyday practice, not just rhetoric, and that public funds must translate into services, infrastructure, and improved quality of life for residents.