The magistrate suspects that between 2007 and 2011, the mayor of the city, as well as an architect and four businessmen, simulated the execution of various works “with the intent of making illegal profits”. This is the third Jeltzale councilor under investigation for corruption offences.
The titular magistrate of the investigating judge No. 1 of Barakaldo (Bizkaia), Leyre Pérez, sees signs of corruption in a series of urban decisions by the former PNV mayor of Alonsotegi, Aitor Santiesteban Aldama (term 2007-2011), together with Alberto Zulueta Goienetxea, architect who worked for that place, and four builders.
In an order ending the investigation phase, the magistrate points out that all of them “by mutual agreement and for the purpose of obtaining an illicit advantage, gave the appearance of carrying out various works at the expense of the State, the Province and the Buildings, to the detriment of the respective public assets”. According to the case instructor, the facts may six crimes related to corruptionincluding administrative excesses, subsidy fraud, embezzlement and falsification of official documents.
After the relevant investigation, the judge requests the Public Prosecution Service and the plaintiffs (the municipality itself, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Public Prosecution Service and EH Bildu) to formulate the allegations with a view to the possible opening of an oral trial.
According to the order, the five investigated presented up to four projects to carry out works in order to obtain public funds from the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and the government of Spain. The amount obtained would amount to more than one million euros, as the works were not finally carried out. The money went to the architecture studio Zulueta and to various initiators.
Santiesteban is the third former mayor of the accused municipality to be investigated for crimes related to corruption. Next week, the trial of his successor, José Luis Erezuma, also a Jeltzale (2011-2015), will begin. Santiesteban’s predecessor, Gabino Martínez de Arenaza, is also on trial for similar crimes.
The Bizkai Buru Batzar (BBB) of the PNV has shown “his respect” for the course of justice.
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Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
