Grupo Herdez Faces Alleged Lawsuit Fraud Scheme

Grupo Herdez is among the companies targeted in an alleged fraud scheme involving fabricated labor lawsuits, according to an investigation by Mexico's Attorney General's Office.

Federal prosecutors are investigating whether individuals orchestrated coordinated legal claims to extract multimillion-peso severance payments from companies. The claimants reportedly never had an employment relationship with the targeted businesses.

One case dates back to 2007 at the Mexico City prosecutor's office before federal authorities took over the file. Testimony from Irene León Escamilla stated that lawsuits were promoted by the law firm of attorney Humberto Cavazos Chena as manufactured labor disputes. The strategy aimed to inflate alleged labor violations to pressure businesses into financial settlements. León Escamilla noted that she verified the case of Alfredo Jorge Colín Huerta, who was listed as a claimant despite never working for the corporate entities involved.

The probe also details attempts to freeze bank accounts belonging to Grupo Herdez after the company refused to comply with the demands. Prosecutors are assessing potential crimes involving false information and counterfeit documents submitted in judicial proceedings.