Monterrey, Nuevo Leon — A state judge ordered preventive detention for businessman Jose Lobaton on Thursday, this time over an investigation into alleged fraud linked to the Brhiza del Mar tourism development in Quintana Roo.
Prosecutors had sought to formally charge Lobaton, owner of the real estate firm Proyectos 9, but his legal team requested additional time to resolve his legal status. The judge granted the request and postponed the indictment hearing to June 9, while imposing preventive detention as a precautionary measure, meaning Lobaton will remain in prison.
Lobaton was arrested on May 20 when state investigators executed an arrest warrant related to multiple complaints of real estate fraud.
In Thursday’s hearing, the court examined the Brhiza del Mar case. A source close to the matter said Proyectos 9 allegedly received 22.5 million pesos (about $1.1 million) as a down payment for the project, but the property was never built.
Lobaton also faces other complaints over real estate projects that were never delivered in Monterrey and San Pedro, including the LoLa, LaLo, Moca Azul, and Azucar towers, among others.
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