Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz removed two municipal judges from their posts after citizens filed corruption complaints with the city’s Sindicatura Procuradora, the municipal oversight body responsible for investigating misconduct by public officials. Four more judges remain under active investigation.
The complaints centered on bribery tied to vehicle tow fines, according to the Sindicatura Procuradora. Citizens alleged the judges solicited payments in exchange for reducing or dismissing fines related to impounded vehicles.
Six Judges Face Possible Permanent Ban
All six judges, including the two already removed, face possible permanent disqualification from public service once administrative proceedings conclude. The Sindicatura Procuradora confirmed that the two fired judges must still appear and testify as part of the ongoing process. Their removal does not end the investigation.
Municipal judges in Tijuana handle traffic violations, towing disputes, and minor infractions. These are the courts where drivers contest impound fees or fight citations. For anyone who has had a car towed in Tijuana, a municipal judge would typically be the official deciding the outcome.
Part of a Broader Anti-Corruption Push
The Burgueño administration has framed the firings as part of a wider effort to root out corruption in city government. Earlier this year, the administration suspended two police officers under separate misconduct investigations. Officials from the previous municipal administration have also faced scrutiny.
Corruption within Tijuana’s municipal institutions is a long-running problem. Municipal police forces have faced repeated allegations of bribery and collusion over the years. The city’s judicial system, while less scrutinized than law enforcement, operates in a similar environment of low pay and high temptation. Municipal judges earn modest salaries compared to their federal counterparts, and they process a high volume of cases involving fines and fees where cash changes hands.
The Sindicatura Procuradora has not released the names of the six judges involved. It is also unclear how long the remaining four investigations will take or whether criminal charges could follow the administrative proceedings.
This story was first reported by Punto Norte on April 6.