Mexican Businessmen Charged in Pemex Bribery Scandal

Houston, Texas — The FBI in Houston issued a statement on Monday, August 11, 2025, alleging that two Mexican businessmen are involved in a corruption scheme. Ramón Alexandro Rovirosa Martínez and Mario Alberto Ávila Lizárraga, both residents of Texas, have been charged by U.S. prosecutors with bribing officials at Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) to secure contracts.

Details of the Allegations

According to the indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Rovirosa, 46, of The Woodlands, Texas, and Ávila, 61, of Spring, Texas, are accused of conspiring to pay at least $150,000 in bribes to Mexican officials between 2019 and 2021. The bribes allegedly included luxury items from brands such as Louis Vuitton, cash payments, and other goods in exchange for contracts with Pemex and its subsidiary, Exploración y Producción (PEP), which oversees crude oil exploration and production.

The U.S. Department of Justice stated, “These improper advantages helped companies linked to Rovirosa secure contracts with Pemex and PEP worth at least $2.5 million.” The indictment also noted that Rovirosa allegedly has ties to cartel members, though no further details were provided.

The Accused

Rovirosa is identified as the founder and CEO of Roma Energy, a Texas-based oil and gas exploration and production company. According to reports, he has already been arrested and appeared in court to face the charges. Ávila remains at large.

If convicted, both men face up to five years in prison on charges of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The investigation is being led by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (HSI), with support from other federal agencies.

Pemex’s Ongoing Challenges

The allegations come amid ongoing financial and operational struggles for Pemex, Mexico’s state-owned oil company. Recent government measures, including bond issuances backed by the Finance Ministry, have sought to stabilize the heavily indebted firm.

The case highlights broader concerns about corruption within Pemex, which has faced multiple scandals involving bribery and mismanagement in recent years. The identities of the implicated Pemex officials have not been disclosed.

The investigation remains ongoing, with U.S. authorities continuing to pursue leads in the case.