RESPLENDENT in high-heels and handbags from the world’s priciest designers, Elba Esther Gordillo (pictured), the leader of Mexico’s powerful teachers’ union, has never made any secret of her wealth. Mexicans have long wondered how she is able to maintain her lavish lifestyle on a public servant’s salary. On February 26th federal prosecutors announced what they think is the explanation: the alleged embezzlement of 2 billion pesos ($159m) of union funds. Ms Gordillo, who likes to be known as “la Maestra” (“the Teacher”), was arrested at an airport outside Mexico City.
Jesús Murillo Karam, the attorney general, said Ms Gordillo and two other union officials had spent the money on designer clothes, art, property and cosmetic surgery. Some of the funds were transferred to companies in Switzerland and Lichtenstein registered in Ms Gordillo’s mother’s name, before being used to buy houses in San Diego. This may not be the full extent of the swindle, prosecutors said. “La Maestra” has not yet commented though her union colleagues have come out in her defence, saying they “believe in” her.
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