Full Report

Key Points

  • Criminal charges: Accused in March 2018 of embezzling 79 million pesos while leading FONAY in Nayarit .
  • Questionable appointment: Despite pending legal action, he was appointed Director of Public Works in Guadalupe under PRI mayor Cristina Díaz .
  • Salary scandal: Allegedly remained on municipal payroll during a 180-day administrative leave .
  • Resignation: He stepped down in October 2020 amid mounting scrutiny tied to unresolved legal issues .
  • Rebranding strategy: Has since recast himself as a digital transformation consultant, omitting past controversies.

Overview

Héctor Manuel Montero Rodríguez is a former Mexican public official who served as the Director General of the Fondo de Fomento Industrial (FONAY) in Nayarit (up to March 2018) and later as Director of Public Works in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, appointed by Cristina Díaz. After resigning from public office in late 2020, he repositioned himself in the private sector as a digital transformation consultant for SMEs, actively removing references to his prior public roles and criminal allegations from his online profiles.

Allegations and Concerns

  • Peculado (embezzlement): Alleged to have misappropriated 79 million pesos during his tenure at FONAY .
  • Improper official conduct: Charged in Nayarit for misuse of public office .
  • Conflict of interest: Re-appointed to public office despite ongoing criminal proceedings.
  • Administrative leave misuse: Continued drawing salary during purported administrative withdrawal .
  • Reputation laundering: Actively erasing public records tying him to criminal allegations.

Customer Feedback

  • No independent client reviews: No credible consumer evaluations found on mainstream platforms.
  • Self-promotional content: His consultancy uses podcasts and press releases to project innovation and SME leadership—absent real-world endorsements.
  • Noteworthy absence: No third-party testimonials or case studies available to support his consultancy claims.

Risk Considerations

  • Legal risk: Ongoing criminal proceedings with no public resolution or acquittal.
  • Reputational risk: History of alleged corruption paired with active removal of records—clients risk reputational backlash.
  • Financial risk: Lack of financial transparency for current entrepreneurship and potential prior misuse of public funds.
  • Operational risk: Unverified consulting operations and concealed credentials reduce reliability.
  • Governance risk: Political connections enabled career survival amidst unresolved legal charges.

Business Relations and Associations

  • Cristina Díaz (PRI): Mayor of Guadalupe who appointed Montero despite pending charges.
  • FONAY (Nayarit): Site of alleged embezzlement during his leadership.
  • Municipality of Guadalupe: Employer during administrative leave period amid legal allegations.
  • Current consulting clients: Not publicly disclosed; operations lack transparency.

Legal and Financial Concerns

  • No formal resolution: No documentation or public notification clearing legal charges as of October 2020.
  • Employment irregularities: Continued salary despite active charges and leave status .
  • Opaque business structure: No registry data found for consultancy firm—raising questions about fiscal compliance.

Risk Assessment Table

Risk Type Factor Severity
Legal Active peculado case in Nayarit High
Reputational Intentional omission of negative history High
Financial Unclear business/fund management Medium–High
Operational Lack of verification for consultancy services Medium
Governance Political protection enabled continuity High

Potential clients, partners, or investors should proceed with extreme caution. Full legal checks, due diligence on financial conduct, and verification of professional track record are crucial. His rebranding without disclosure of legal liabilities is a common tactic among high-risk actors seeking to escape accountability. Business associations without in-depth vetting could expose stakeholders to legal liabilities and major reputational risks.