Former Móstoles Mayor and Councilors Faces Charges Over Alleged Embezzlement and Abuse of Power
An oral trial has been initiated by Judge Number 1 of Móstoles against the former mayor, Noelia Posse, along with eight ex-councilors, following allegations of abuse of power and embezzlement of public funds linked to the ITV case. The allegations stem from their decision to forgive a debt exceeding 2 million euros owed to a concessionaire company. A court order obtained by Europa Press indicates that the socialist former mayor will face charges related to these serious accusations.
To secure potential financial liabilities from this case, the court has set a bail amounting to 817,453 euros, which the accused must collectively pay. The Móstoles-Fuenlabrada Area Prosecutor’s Office had previously presented its indictment in April, recommending a 12-year disqualification from office for Posse and the former councilors involved. They are accused under Article 404 of the Penal Code, which pertains to abuse of power.
In February, the presiding judge confirmed that the preliminary proceedings would continue against eleven individuals, including a city official and a businessman. The judge noted the clear harm inflicted on public finances due to a controversial agreement passed by the Local Government Board on October 20, 2020. This agreement, which was treated with urgency, granted a 50% debt reduction to the ITV Móstoles SL concessionaire and allowed for the postponement of payment of the remaining debt until 2040 at a nominal rate of 30,000 euros per year.
The Prosecutor’s Office contends that this decision was made unanimously by the board members without considering a formerly unfavorable report from the Interventor, which cited legal contradictions and emphasized the illegal nature of the agreement. It is claimed that the accused were fully aware of the illegality of their actions, yet proceeded to adopt the agreement with the misleading report issued by Francisco Javier Torner, another accused party.
This allocation of financial leniency resulted in the City Council of Móstoles incurring significant losses, specifically by forgiving 615,000 euros in debt and reducing the annual fee to 60,000 euros. Notably, the manager of ITV Móstoles SL, Mónica Ramírez Moreno Manzanero, was said to have influenced this decision, requesting similar proposals from the City Council, knowing full well its legal impropriety.
The unfolding trial will significantly spotlight the accountability of public officials and their adherence to fiscal responsibility, with potential long-term implications for governance in Móstoles.
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