Reuters reported on 27th October that Spanish police have arrested 51 people as part of a graft investigation involving local government construction contracts, the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office said on Monday.
The investigation, “Operation Punica” — centred around town halls mainly in the regions of Madrid, Murcia, Leon and Valencia — is one of numerous corruption scandals that have hit Spain’s mainstream political parties and many bankers in recent months.
“The collusion between local councillors and civil servants, with builders and energy service companies, and the corruption of middle-men and key companies, has helped them to secure contracts worth around 250 million euros ($300 million) in the last two years alone,” the prosecutor said in a statement.
A judicial source said one of those arrested was Francisco Granados, a former conservative deputy president of the Madrid region who resigned in February after it was revealed he had millions of euros in a Swiss bank account.
Information from Switzerland has helped Operation Punica, and investigators have issued search warrants on 259 properties, 400 banks, companies and insurers, blocked current accounts and assets and embargoed 30 vehicles. (Reporting by Raquel Castillo; Writing by Paul Day; Editing by Sarah Morris and Louise Ireland)
Comment
Excellent, robust, anti-corruption work by the Spanish police.
- Fewer road deaths but more accidents and serious injuries compared to 2018
- Man dies after being hit by machine in Madeira
- Doctors in Spain revive British woman after six-hour cardiac arrest
- MADEIRA – FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS DUE TO HIGH WINDS
- Government says over 90% of municipalities have forest fire protection plans
- London attack shows EU-UK cooperation ‘essential
- Fires: Castelo Branco district without re-ignitions or false alarms in 2019
- PORTUGAL TO CO-CHAIR MINISTERIAL COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
- Municipalities claim changes in Civil Protection result in better articulation
- Portugal is the best destination in the world and wins 13 tourism ‘Oscars’
- Porto – PSP confirms detention of a British national and identification of 16 Belgians after clashes that caused “several injured
- Lisbon – PSP crackdown of pickpockets – 305 detained so far this year
- European Commission forcing Portugal to change taxes on imported used cars
- Deco warns: choose from Amazon, Booking, or TripAdvisor reviews? May be false
- Funchal – Christmas Lights Vandalised
