**Audit Reveals Irregularities in Baja California’s Federal Spending**
Baja California is under scrutiny following a report from the national auditing body highlighting significant financial irregularities. The state faces questions over the use of 214.8 million pesos in federal funding for various public accounts from 2022 and 2023. This amount notably equates to most of the budget for Playas de Rosarito in 2024. These irregularities largely involve funds intended for social support, education, infrastructure, and security.
Notably, the identified discrepancies under the current administration led by Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda are less severe than those of her predecessors, with prior administrations being cited for larger sums. For instance, during the 2021 and 2022 audits, the state records flagged around 1.5 billion pesos under the first government of the current ruling party, while earlier administrations witnessed discrepancies involving hundreds of millions.
In response to the audit, recovery efforts have begun, with approximately 38.4 million pesos of the irregular amount having been recuperated. However, there’s still a significant portion of unclarified spending that state entities need to address.
Key areas of concern included contracts for school breakfast programs and the improper management of the Multiple Contributions Fund, with troubling findings such as payments to deceased individuals. Furthermore, there were issues with tendering processes and contract management across several governmental departments.
**Secondary Coverage: Ongoing Issues and Responses**
Further developments have cast additional light on how these irregularities emerged and what steps are being taken to address them. Recent reports have revealed that contracts within the education sector, such as those overseen by the state’s social development programs and the Institute of Educational Physical Infrastructure, often fell short of compliance standards. Several contracted projects reportedly failed to adhere to budgetary stipulations or documentation requirements, which the auditing body considered significant breaches.
The local government, looking to address these issues, has initiated several administrative proceedings and is reviewing procurement processes to ensure future compliance. These measures include tighter oversight of how funds are distributed and spent, emphasizing transparency and accountability.
Across the state, various departments, including the DIF and health services, have come under fire for failing to comply with financial and operational standards set by national fiscal and procurement laws. As investigations continue, the focus remains on rectifying the discrepancies and revamping financial management protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future.
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