VERACRUZ, Mexico – Mexican police arrested 35 former municipal officials on suspicion they embezzled 156 million pesos ($12 million) in public funds, the Veracruz state attorney general said.

The suspects held public office from 2007-2010 in 18 different municipalities in the Gulf coast state, Reynaldo Escobar Perez told a press conference.

Those arrested include the former mayors of Las Choapas, Tecolutla, Tehuipango and Tuxpan.

The state’s oversight agency detected irregularities in the accounts of the 18 municipalities during the 2009 fiscal year, prompting an extensive investigation by his office, Escobar said.

The suspects are charged with abuse of authority and dereliction of duty, the attorney general said, insisting that the Veracruz state government is committed to the rule of law. EFE