Marco Lopez/jhandout
By Stacey Barchenger | Arizona Republic
An international bribery scheme that funneled nearly $800 million to a dozen countries, snared political leaders and became a key data point driving efforts to curb corruption in Mexican politics is casting its shadow on Arizona Democratic gubernatorial candidate Marco López.
López has been connected to the case after reports that his company, while doing work a decade ago for an adviser to former Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto’s campaign, profited from the scheme.
López has not been charged in the multi-pronged investigation. He told The Arizona Republic in a written statement that he and his business did nothing wrong and said he could not have been aware of a bribery scheme that led to charges against others years later.
At least $35,000 was paid to López’s company, Intermestic Partners, in 2012. The payment came to light in 2020 when a Mexican investigative news organization, Mexicanos Contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad, published leaked receipts and records that had been given to the Mexican Attorney General’s Office.
