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Mexican Cardinal's Finances, Ties to Racetrack Owner Probed

MEXICO – As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer: "The investigation of a Roman Catholic cardinal for allegedly using drug money to build churches is shaking this nation of devout Catholics, with church leaders crying foul and critics questioning the clergyman's friendship with a would-be casino owner.

"The Mexican attorney general's office confirms that Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez, who oversees Vatican spending in Mexico, is under investigation. The newspaper Reforma reported last month that he allegedly used donations from drug traffickers to build churches in the border city of Ciudad Juarez, opposite El Paso, Texas, and that investigators had subpoenaed church bank records.

"…Sandoval, 70, is one of two cardinals in Mexico and had been mentioned as a potential candidate for pope. He sits on a panel that oversees the financial affairs of the Holy See. Investigating his financial dealings is, in a sense, probing how the Vatican spends its money in Mexico.

"Investigators are examining Sandoval's financial ties to Jose Maria Guardia, a wealthy owner of horse- and dog-racing tracks in seedy Ciudad Juarez. Guardia, 63, was born in the Philippines but became a naturalized Mexican citizen. He is a self-described devout man who sees no conflict between religion and gambling.

"…Guardia once hosted Castro in his home, and the Mexican press has suggested that Guardia is using the cardinal to cement relations with Cuban authorities, anticipating a time when Castro is gone and gambling may return after a long ban on the communist island.

"…Guardia has suggested Mexico's investigation is really about who controls casino gambling. Mexico's Congress is considering legislation to legalize casino gambling for the first time since 1938. He vows to be first out of the blocks with plans to open a Las Vegas-like Juarez Resort & Casino in Ciudad Juarez, capable of handling $20 billion in bets daily.

"Sandoval said he is being framed by former Attorney General Jorge Carpizo for refusing to accept the results of government probes into the murder of his predecessor. Cardinal Juan Jose Posadas Ocampo was gunned down at the Guadalajara airport on May 24, 1993…"

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