José Serrano's life in the United States was always surrounded by questions. How could he get around in BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles?
Regarding the couple's assets, in 2021 Serrano reported assets of $186,400.22, while Christiansen reported $50,000 in 2017. These figures contrast with the luxurious lifestyle they led.
In 2021, legislator Fernando Villavicencio questioned Serrano about his relationship with Jorge Chérrez, who is under investigation for the ISSPOL embezzlement. Villavicencio presented copies of checks signed by Chérrez in favor of Christiansen, which complicated the justification of the couple's income.
In March 2025, their names reappeared in a complaint related to the purchase of bulletproof vests. The company High End Defense Solutions LLC presented evidence that behind a false scandal were the couple Serrano–Christiansen.
The connection with Rommy Vallejo, former Secretary of Intelligence, also persists. In 2018, Christiansen and Vallejo established the firm Investment Natural Group LLC, which strengthened their relationship with Serrano and Vallejo, who had already been accused of alleged espionage operations against political opponents.
José Serrano's luxurious life in the United States has been marked by questions about his sources of income and his ties to key figures of correísmo. Despite the luxuries, the connections with individuals under investigation for corruption and the scandals surrounding him, his future remains uncertain, as he faces serious charges in Ecuador.
On August 25, 2025, 18 days had passed since the arrest of the former Minister of the Interior and former president of the National Assembly by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Serrano remains at the Krome Detention Center, near Miami.
During these four years in Miami, Serrano formalized his relationship with María Paula Christiansen Delgado, former Administrative and Financial Coordinator of the Ministry of the Interior. Christiansen owns a chain of spas and beauty centers with offices in Miami and also registers companies in real estate and investment consulting.
Both resided in the residential complex The Mansions, in Doral, Florida. The residence is 1,139 square meters (12,260 square feet), has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a pool. According to the real estate portal Zillow, the monthly rent is close to $10,000, while the market value of the house exceeds $2.1 million.
