Morelos Congress approves lavish pensions for former officials facing criminal proceedings

The Morelos Congress has approved a package of unusually generous pensions for former public officials connected to criminal proceedings and serious allegations, including embezzlement and aggravated homicide.

Former state Finance Secretary Mirna Zavala Zúñiga leads the list. After more than 30 years in public service, she qualified under the law's service-time requirement, which sets 28 years for the benefit. Yet she reached a 100% pension worth more than 70,000 pesos a month for life after just one year in the state administration, according to the report.

Zavala left office on Aug. 15, 2025, after the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor accused her of illicit enrichment and abusive exercise of public duties. The case remains in the investigation stage. Her pension proposal received its first reading in early July, although the date she began the application process is not known.

The second case involves América López Rodríguez, former head of Morelos's Superior Audit and Fiscalization Entity. She left office in 2022 amid accusations involving more than 80 million pesos, including embezzlement, unlawful exercise of public service and abuse of office. Her case has not been resolved.

Based on her curriculum vitae, López worked in public service from 2007 to 2022. The report says she is between 45 and 50 years old, meaning she would not appear to meet the requirements based on age or the minimum 18 years of service for women under Morelos civil-service law. She nevertheless secured a pension exceeding 75,000 pesos a month through a legal injunction.

A third benefit, described as a "platinum" pension, will provide Beatriz Díaz Rogel with 80,000 pesos a month for her work as deputy human-resources director at Cuernavaca City Hall. Public records reportedly identify her as the presumed sister of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor.