Dead Man Elected Mayor In Mexico

A dead man was elected mayor of San Agustin Amatengo, Mexico. Lenin Carballido is listed on his death certificate as having died of a diabetic coma in 2010.

Carballido’s death certificate was legal, as it was signed by a public registry official. However, his death was clearly faked.

As reported by CBS News, Carballido was previously a suspect in a gang rape that occurred in 2004. Producing a death certificate, his family convinced authorities dismiss the charges and a warrant for his arrest.

Despite the fraud, Carballido made a decision to run for mayor of San Agustin Amatengo. Campaign material with his name and photo was distributed throughout the town and plastered on billboards.

On July 7, Lenin Carballido won the mayoral election in a popular vote. Strangely, nobody realized what was going on until they elected the previously dead man as mayor.

Following the announcement of his win, a copy of his death certificate was presented to authorities.

Officials with the Democratic Revolution Party state that Carballido’s registration as a candidate followed proper procedures. PRD leader Rey Morales discusses the fraud:

“When he registered as a candidate, he presented all his paperwork, his birth certificate, a letter stating he had no criminal record… He fooled the prosecutors’ office, he fooled the office of records, he fooled electoral officials.”

Morales points out that if the fraud is proven, Carballido will be forbidden from taking office. Investigators are currently waiting for an official copy of the death certificate.

As reported by ABC News, the registry official who signed the death certificate is now under investigation. Reyes Soto, director of the public records office, states that registry official Abel de la Rosa Santos was fired. Santos has been ordered report to authorities for questioning.

Mayra Ricardez, of the Oaxaca state prosecutor’s office, explains that the statute of limitations on the original crime has not run out. Prosecutors are working toward reviving the criminal case and issuing a new warrant for Carballido’s arrest.

The dead man was elected mayor of San Agustin Amatengo for a brief period of time. However, the runner-up will likely be sworn into the position as Carballido faces numerous criminal charges.

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