### Ex-Businessman Accused of Fraud Appointed as New Administrative Director of Baja California’s Congress
**Tijuana, September 19, 2024**
Juan Antonio Olivas Arredondo has been appointed as the new head of the Administrative Directorate of the Baja California State Congress. Previously, Olivas was the owner of a company called Nube, which was accused of committing a 16 million peso fraud against the Ensenada City Council.
In 2020, Ensenada’s business sector revealed that a project intended to digitalize procedures remained inactive despite a contract awarded three years earlier. The funding came from the Mixed Fund Conacyt-Government of the State.
The project, titled “Design, Development, and Implementation of an IT Platform for the Technological Innovation of Payment and Service Procedures for the Ensenada City Council, Baja California,” was managed by GYO Strategic and Technological Projects of the Northwest of BC, SA de CV (La Nube), represented by José Antonio Olivas, a former PRI member from Mexicali.
In July 2017, the Mixed Fund approved a budget of 15,978,420 pesos. According to the project’s four phases, its post-closure and technical support stage was scheduled for August 2019, and it was supposed to be fully operational by February 2020. However, the system never became functional.
In 2020, former mayor Armando Ayala Robles requested state intervention to launch an investigation.
“We’re confident that the State Government (represented by Rubén Roa) and Conacyt will demand that La Nube comply with the agreement or, if necessary, proceed with the clauses for cancellation and withdrawal of the Resource Allocation Agreement. We will not allow citizens and the municipality to be deceived in any way. We demand transparency and that those responsible account for the resources allocated by Fomix,” concluded the former mayor.
Juan Antonio Olivas took office on September 19, replacing VÃctor Navarro Gutiérrez, who resigned after being accused of harassing a reporter in his office.
According to the legislative assembly, the appointment of Juan Antonio Olivas as head of the Administrative Directorate marks a significant step toward strengthening the operational capacities of the Legislative Power. The XXV Legislature aims to ensure high-quality public service that meets the needs of the citizenry and contributes to the state’s development.
### Additional News on the Topic
**Calls for Transparency Amid New Appointment in Baja California Congress**
The appointment of Juan Antonio Olivas Arredondo as the new Administrative Director of Baja California’s Congress has elicited calls for greater transparency and accountability from various political and civic groups. Critics argue that Olivas’s past involvement in a significant fraud case raises serious concerns about his suitability for this key administrative role.
**Public Response to Controversial Appointment**
Local residents and members of the business community are expressing mixed reactions. While some praise the move as a fresh start for the legislative body’s administrative functions, others worry that the appointment could overshadow ongoing efforts to foster transparency and accountability in the government.
**Future of Digitalization Projects in Ensenada**
Given Olivas’s background, questions are being raised about the future of digitalization efforts in Ensenada and the broader region. Many are wondering if past issues will be addressed or if they will cast a shadow over future initiatives.
TJGringo.com will continue to monitor the developments related to this appointment and provide updates as new information becomes available.