In July 2001, the Council of Riogordo was ordered to pay 118,858,322 pesetas (€714,352.90) in compensation to a local landowner for the enforced expropriation and subsequent use of an aquifer located on Cortijo de Aute.
It will no doubt come as a great shock to note that this matter has still not been resolved and no payment has been made to the landowner. Accumulated interest on the judgement means that the amount to be paid is now over one million euros.
The former Socialist Mayor of Riogordo, Francisco Alarcón, tried unsuccessfully to appeal the judgement and the failure to implement said judgement led to his disqualification from public office for a period of six months.
The current Mayor, Antonio Alés (PP), is now trying to negotiate a settlement with the family who own the land, offering to pay €3,000 per month for the next 28 years.
It would, of course, have been a lot cheaper (for the taxpayer) if the judgement had been settled immediately upon finding out that no appeal was possible.