Communication Minister Juan Carlos Mendoza consulted with the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) if there was any kind of ban to maintain a contract with the company COES Communication Siglo XXI, which belongs to his cousins.
Mendoza noticed the existence of this contract in June this year and proceeded to make the query. The controlling entity warned the Minister of Communication, Juan Carlos Mendoza, to avoid any conflict of interests with the company COES Comunicación Siglo XXI, which is contracted by the Ministry of the Presidency, institution to which the Ministry of Communication is attached, for the work monitoring news.
Juan Carlos Mendoza is reminded, in his capacity as Minister of Communication, that he must keep the duty of probity contemplated in articles three and four of the Law against Corruption and Illicit Enrichment, and avoid any conflict of interests that may arise between the company Coes Comunicación del Siglo XXI Sociedad Anónima and the exercise of his public office,”
indicates the official letter DCA-2613 sent to the hierarch.
In addition, the Comptroller indicated that there was no prohibition to hire the company because these cousins have a fourth degree of consanguinity and the Law of Administrative Contracting indicates that it is up to the third degree.
Regarding his aunt, Roxana Mendoza Hernández, who serves as the company’s attorney, the CGR determined that there is no prohibition contemplated in paragraph 22 bis of the Law on Administrative Procurement.
However, Gustavo Viales, the legislator who made the complaint, warned that he sent certifications issued by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) where it is shown they are first cousins.
The data that comes from the registry of people from the TSE -of a public nature- indicates that Rolando Mendoza, father of the Minister, is the brother of Roxana Mendoza, who is the mother of the legal representative and majority shareholder of the company, with last names Knohr Mendoza.
During a speech in Plenary, Viales reported that he sent to the Public Ethics Office (PEP) a list of facts for this instance to determine if there were breaches to the duty of probity, but Mendoza said he was completely willing to analyze the case.