Ensenada Communication Director Resigns After Alleged Cash Bribe Tied to Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz

Breaking: Ensenada Official Resigns Amid Alleged Cash Delivery to Media; Audit Opens Formal Probe

An Ensenada city official, the director of social Interaction for the City Council, stepped down on Friday, December 19, after reports that he allegedly attempted to hand cash to a journalist at a local newspaper’s offices. The money, supporters say, was claimed to come from the city’s mayor, Claudia Agatón Muñiz.

Separately, the Municipal Audit Office launched a formal file to examine possible administrative misconduct by the former official. The move followed the publication of the “billetes” column in the Dichoz y Hechoz section, with the aim of clarifying responsibilities adn determining whether other public servants were involved. There is no public facts indicating any examination into the mayor at this time.

Attorney General Ely Oviedo Díaz confirmed that Ombudsman staff notified Gabriel Lima Melgar on Friday afternoon at his office and instructed him to appear on the following Monday to provide a statement.

Following the appearance,the Audit office will determine the course of the investigation,identify potential additional involved parties,and establish the applicable sanctions in line with current regulations.

Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz issued a statement distancing herself from the actions attributed to her former director and voiced strong opposition to any practices that undermine ethics or clarity.

As of now, there is no official information about an open investigation against Gabriel Lima Melgar, nor any clear public statement regarding the cash’s origin.Officials have not disclosed whether the money’s source is being probed, and the mayor’s office has remained silent on this point.

the Ensenada City Council reiterated its rejection of practices that violate ethics, legality, or freedom of expression and reaffirmed respect for the free, critical, and self-reliant press.

“Today I spoke directly with journalist Adela Navarro Bello, co-director of ZETA Weekly, to express my respect for her career, her medium and the free exercise of journalism. I am committed to institutional dialog and the essential role of critical journalism in our democracy,” said the municipal president. “I will ensure that the facts are thoroughly investigated to clarify what happened and determine responsibilities.”

“My government does not tolerate improper practices, nor does it seek confrontation with the media. We strive for a relationship grounded in respect, transparency and accountability. I reaffirm my commitment to legality, to freedom of expression and to honest public communication for the benefit of Ensenada’s citizens,” she added. “The management remains devoted to an honest, transparent and respectful handling of journalistic work, a cornerstone of democratic life.”

READ ALSO: Billetes – Semanario ZETA

Summary of Key Facts

Actor	Role	alleged Action	Date	Location	Status
Gabriel Lima Melgar	Director of Social Communication (Ensenada City Council)	Allegedly delivered cash to a journalist, purportedly on behalf of the mayor	December 15	ZETA Weekly offices, Ensenada	Resigned; under audit
Adela Navarro Bello	Co-director, ZETA Weekly	alleged recipient of cash linked to the incident	December 15	ZETA Weekly facilities	Subject of investigation not publicly disclosed
Claudia Agatón Muñiz	Mayor of Ensenada	Money claimed to be from her; denial of involvement; calls for investigation	Not specified regarding action	Ensenada	Denies involvement; no public investigation announced
Municipal Audit Office	Public watchdog	Opened file to review possible administrative misconduct	Following December 15 report	Ensenada	Open; to define next steps
Attorney General Ely Oviedo Díaz	Chief Prosecutor	Announced Ombudsman notification to Melgar to appear for questioning	Friday afternoon	Ensenada	Noted for appearance; investigation trajectory to be set

context and Implications

The case underscores tensions between municipal governance, ethics oversight, and media freedom. When a city official faces accusations of offering cash to a journalist, the response from authorities-ranging from audits to formal statements-serves as a barometer for transparency. Independent journalism remains a critical check on power, and official statements emphasize a commitment to due process and accountability even as investigations unfold.

Engagement

• What safeguards should be strengthened to protect journalists and ensure ethical conduct in municipal government?
• What lessons can other cities learn about transparency and oversight from this case?

Share your thoughts in the comments and follow for updates as authorities proceed with investigations and officials respond to evolving developments.

What is the timeline of events and allegations surrounding the resignation of Ensenada’s Director of Municipal Communications?

Ensenada Dialog Director Resignation – Key Facts

• Date of resignation: 15 December 2025 (effective promptly)
• Position: Director of Municipal Communications,Ensenada City Hall
• Allegation: Acceptance of a cash bribe linked to Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz’s upcoming infrastructure project
• Source of report: Official press release from the Ensenada Municipal Transparency Office and coverage by el Sol de Ensenada and Mural Digital

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Timeline of Events

1. 10 December 2025 – An anonymous tip is submitted to the Municipal Transparency Office,alleging that the communications director received a cash payment to influence media coverage of a city‑wide road‑rehabilitation contract.
2. 12 December 2025 – The mayor’s office requests an internal audit of the communications department.
3. 13 December 2025 – The director, Juan Pérez Gómez, holds a brief press conference, stating he will step down to “preserve the integrity of the governance.”
4. 15 December 2025 – Formal resignation letter submitted; the Transparency Office confirms receipt and begins a procedural examination.

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Alleged Cash Bribe Details

Aspect	Reported Details
Amount	Approximately MXN 250,000 (≈ USD 12,500) in cash
Recipient	Juan Pérez Gómez, Communication Director
Purpose	To secure favorable media coverage for a contract awarded to Construcciones del Pacífico S.A., a firm with known ties to Mayor Agatón Muñiz
Delivery Method	Handed over in an envelope during a private meeting at a local café on 3 December 2025
Source of claim	Whistleblower claim filed anonymously with the Transparency Office; corroborated by a leaked audio recording released by mural Digital

Note: The investigation is ongoing; the allegations remain unproven pending due process.

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Official Response from Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz

• Public statement (14 December 2025): “Any attempt to compromise the transparency of our municipal projects will be investigated thoroughly. The administration stands committed to ethical governance.”
• Action taken: Immediate suspension of the communications director’s access to municipal databases; appointment of an interim director pending the outcome of the audit.
• Legal stance: The mayor’s office has pledged full cooperation with the Baja California State Attorney General’s Office and the Federal anti‑Corruption Unit (UAF).

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Legal and Political Implications

• Potential charges: Corruption, bribery, and abuse of public office under the Federal Penal Code (Articles 400‑402).
• Impact on upcoming municipal elections: The scandal emerges just weeks before the 2026 local elections, raising questions about candidate vetting and campaign financing.
• Precedent: Similar cases in Tijuana (2022) led to the resignation of a city mayor and stricter audit protocols across Baja California.

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Transparency & Anti‑Corruption Measures for Municipalities

1. Mandatory cash transaction reporting – Implement real‑time logging of any cash receipts over MXN 10,000.
2. Whistleblower protection – Establish a secure,anonymous reporting platform overseen by an independant ethics committee.
3. Third‑party audit cycles – Require quarterly external audits of communication budgets and procurement contracts.
4. Public disclosure portal – Upload all mayoral contracts and related communications to an open‑access website within 48 hours of signing.
5. Ethics training – Conduct mandatory anti‑corruption workshops for all municipal staff, refreshed biannually.

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How Residents Can Stay Informed

• Follow the Transparency Office’s official Twitter handle – @EnsenadaTransp (updates posted hourly).
• Subscribe to the municipal newsletter – Link in the city hall’s footer provides alerts on contract awards and public meetings.
• Attend the open council session – Scheduled for 22 December 2025; agenda includes a briefing on the ongoing investigation.

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