New revelations reinforce the narrative that Grupo Salinas used shell companies, tax evasion, bribery and legal maneuvering to build and protect its financial empire

A wave of new investigative reporting has shed light and reignited long-standing controversy surrounding the financial dealings of Ricardo Salinas Pliego, head of Grupo Salinas. One striking phrase, published by SinEmbargo, has gone viral across media and social platforms: “His fortune was built on tax fraud and a judicial system that has constantly allowed him to postpone paying his debts.”

While Justicia Empresarial does not take a position on this claim, recent coverage does underscore a troubling pattern: repeated use of abusive legal tactics to delay massive tax obligations, the alleged use of offshore shell companies tied to Grupo Elektra, and persistent resistance to unfavorable judicial rulings.

One recent article by Revista Fortuna highlights the role of “Beta,” a paper company reportedly connected to Grupo Elektra, which was used to simulate transactions and later became the subject of a federal court case. The report details how this entity was seemingly created to avoid fiscal liabilities.

Additionally, SinEmbargo published a recent admission by Salinas himself, in which he appeared to acknowledge believing his political ties would shield him from enforcement. “I thought that being friends with the president would mean I wouldn’t be charged double,” he said, referring to his relationship with former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador and a dispute with Mexico’s SAT tax authority.

Another recent judgment required Grupo Salinas to pay over 2 billion pesos in back taxes related to Elektra—an order the company has publicly complained as “unjust.”

Accusations of Fraud Are Not New

Concerns over Ricardo Salinas’s conduct go back decades. Among the most serious cases:

• – SEC Fraud Charges (2005): The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Salinas with securities fraud, accusing him of concealing a secret $109 million gain in a related-party transaction involving Unefon, a company he controlled. He settled the case by paying over $7.5 million in penalties.

(SEC Press Release: https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2005-1.htm)

• U.S. Bribery Allegation (2024): The Wall Street Journal reported that Banco Azteca was allegedly involved in providing funds used to bribe Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar in a broader DOJ corruption case.

(WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/the-mexican-bank-behind-alleged-bribe…)

These and other controversies are fueling calls for deeper scrutiny. As President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration cracks down on large-scale tax evasion and regulatory fraud, many believe that Salinas’s long-standing legal privileges may be coming to an end.

Wider Context

These developments come at a time of intensified tax enforcement under the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum. As federal authorities work to recoup billions in lost revenue, financial analysts and civil society observers are questioning whether Grupo Salinas’s operational model can withstand this new regulatory climate.

Justicia Empresarial urges the SAT, CNBV, and Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) to continue enforcing fiscal law without favoritism or delay. Major business groups must be held to the same legal standards as any other taxpayer or entity.

Sources:

https://www.sinembargo.mx/4648507/salinas-pliego-consumio-63-de-su-capit…

https://revistafortuna.com.mx/2025/06/20/beta-la-empresa-de-papel-del-gr…

https://www.sinembargo.mx/4666419/pense-que-siendo-amigo-de-lopez-obrado…

https://www.sinembargo.mx/4667067/grupo-salinas-condena-fallo-que-lo-obl…

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