171 open corruption cases in Spain

According to the Ministry of Interior there are currently 171 ‘open’ corruption cases in Spain, the majority initiated in the past eighteen months. Corruption – bribery, influence peddling, embezzlement, breach of trust etc – is not a criminal offence under the Penal Code.

Mayor of Aledo arrested

Yet another group of politicians in trouble as the Mayor of Aledo (Murcia), Simón Alcaraz, and Municipal Secretary Rosario Hita are amongst seven people arrested today in connection with alleged corruption relating to urban planning.

35 accused of corruption in El Puerto de Santa Maria

‘Operación Suministro’ has resulted in a total of 35 people being accused of the alleged crimes of forgery, corruption and city planning violations in the town of El Puerto de Santa Maria in Cádiz province.

Time for a spring clean

So, the (oxymoron alert) Fifa ethics committee has opened an investigation into its president, Sepp Blatter. Not before time, some would say. The most amusing part of the whole exercise is that Mohamed bin Hammam, who denies bribery, has accused Sepp Blatter of knowing about the alleged cash payments. Talk about ‘own goal’.

Another councillor implicated in the ‘Arcos case’

The investigation into corruption in Alcaucín, Málaga province, known as the ‘Arcos Case’, has led judge Irene Urbón of Court Number 3 in Vélez-Málaga to implicate the Councillor for Town Planning in Torremolinos, María Isabel Llamas, for crimes of influence peddling and carrying out negotiations not permitted for officials.

Mayor of Benamargosa could face prison term

The Public Prosecutor is requesting a one year prison sentence for the Mayor of Benamargosa, José Gallego Pérez, and two Councillors on charges relating to the building of a dwelling on rural land.

Mayor of Villanueva de la Concepción arrested

The Mayor of Villanueva de la Concepción, Málaga province, Ernesto Silva, is one of three people arrested by the Guardia Civil in connection with possible corruption in the municipality.