Quintana Roo Tax Director Resigns After New York NBA Finals Scandal
Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Héctor Contreras Mercader resigned as director of the Tax Administration Service of Quintana Roo (SATQ) on Thursday, bowing to public pressure after a scandal over his trip to the NBA Finals in New York.
In an official statement, Contreras Mercader said he stepped down to avoid harming the state government’s operations and to prevent political or media distractions. He insisted the trip was personal, taken during two unpaid leave days and paid for with his own funds.
However, the cost of courtside seats — ranging from $12,000 to $100,000 — drew sharp criticism when compared to his reported monthly net salary of 64,650 pesos (about $3,500), according to the National Transparency Platform.
The resignation comes after days of media scrutiny and social media outrage over the tax chief’s attendance at a basketball game at Madison Square Garden. State authorities are expected to name an interim or permanent replacement in the coming hours.
Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx
