Mexican president pledges probe of home purchases by his administration

Virgilio Andrade Martinez, left, is sworn-in as the Secretary of Public Administration by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, during a press conference in Mexico City, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. Pena Nieto said Tuesday he has asked the Public Administration Department to investigate the purchases of luxury homes, by himself, his wife and his finance secretary, from government contractors. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (The Associated Press)

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, right, stands with Virgilio Andrade Martinez, during a press conference to announce Andrade's appointment as the Secretary of Public Administration, in Mexico City, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. Pena Nieto said Tuesday he has asked the Public Administration Department to investigate the purchases of luxury homes, by himself, his wife and his finance secretary, from government contractors. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (The Associated Press)

MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto is pledging an investigation into purchases of luxury homes by himself, his wife and his finance secretary from government contractors.

Pena Nieto said Tuesday he has asked the Public Administration Department to investigate the purchases, which have cast suspicion over his administration.

The department functions as an anti-corruption watchdog agency. The president said the results of the probe would be reviewed by a panel of experts.

When he was governor of the State of Mexico in 2005, Pena Nieto bought a house from a company that got government contracts.

Finance Secretary Luis Videgaray and First Lady Angelica Rivera later both bought houses from another government contractor, which also financed the purchases.

All three have denied they did anything improper.