Police Testimony Unveils Gürtel's Control Over Arganda del Rey Town Hall
Key witness outlines systematic corruption within the local government linked to the PP.
On Tuesday, Manuel Morocho, the chief inspector of the Police who led the investigation into the Gürtel case, provided detailed testimony at the National Court regarding the network's infiltration of the Arganda del Rey Town Hall in Madrid, which has been under the control of the People's Party (PP).
Morocho described how the corrupt framework established by businessman Francisco Correa took absolute control of public procurement in the municipality, aided by local politicians such as Ginés López, the then-mayor, and Benjamín Martín Vasco, a former regional deputy from the PP and CEO of the Development Society, who were reportedly showered with gifts.
During his testimony that lasted nearly an hour and a half, Morocho elaborated on the methods by which the Gürtel network manipulated contracts, asserting that they controlled the entire execution and billing processes.
He emphasized that the contract awards were predetermined, stating that administrative files were merely intended to present an outward appearance of legality.
"In many cases, the bids submitted came from the same group or from a third party whose bid was controlled by them," he noted, adding that it was also a frequent practice to fragment awards into smaller contracts to facilitate manipulation.
The investigation revealed that the corrupt network made cash payments and provided gifts to public officials in the PP, including trips and hotel stays in the United States.
Francisco Correa, Ginés López, and Benjamín Martín Vasco all confessed to these activities during the ongoing trial.
Martín Vasco acknowledged in a written statement that he received commissions totaling €363,295.63 between 2000 and 2008, comprising both cash and gifts, which included a luxurious honeymoon trip amounting to €17,389 that he did not personally fund.
In addition, Morocho confirmed various irregularities concerning the UE-124 plan (Unit of Execution 124) in Arganda.
Through Correa's connections within the Town Hall, the network facilitated the award of this urban development project to construction company Martinsa, followed by several modifications to optimize profitability.
Fernando Martín, former president of Martinsa and Real Madrid, also admitted to these transactions.
Morocho described how the corrupt framework established by businessman Francisco Correa took absolute control of public procurement in the municipality, aided by local politicians such as Ginés López, the then-mayor, and Benjamín Martín Vasco, a former regional deputy from the PP and CEO of the Development Society, who were reportedly showered with gifts.
During his testimony that lasted nearly an hour and a half, Morocho elaborated on the methods by which the Gürtel network manipulated contracts, asserting that they controlled the entire execution and billing processes.
He emphasized that the contract awards were predetermined, stating that administrative files were merely intended to present an outward appearance of legality.
"In many cases, the bids submitted came from the same group or from a third party whose bid was controlled by them," he noted, adding that it was also a frequent practice to fragment awards into smaller contracts to facilitate manipulation.
The investigation revealed that the corrupt network made cash payments and provided gifts to public officials in the PP, including trips and hotel stays in the United States.
Francisco Correa, Ginés López, and Benjamín Martín Vasco all confessed to these activities during the ongoing trial.
Martín Vasco acknowledged in a written statement that he received commissions totaling €363,295.63 between 2000 and 2008, comprising both cash and gifts, which included a luxurious honeymoon trip amounting to €17,389 that he did not personally fund.
In addition, Morocho confirmed various irregularities concerning the UE-124 plan (Unit of Execution 124) in Arganda.
Through Correa's connections within the Town Hall, the network facilitated the award of this urban development project to construction company Martinsa, followed by several modifications to optimize profitability.
Fernando Martín, former president of Martinsa and Real Madrid, also admitted to these transactions.
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