It is possible that, within the collective memory, the Ninette case has been forgotten. No wonder: this plot of urban corruption in the Region of Murcia broke out 17 years ago. This Tuesday it returns to the front page after learning that the head of the Court of Instruction number 2 of San Javier orders the opening of an oral trial against 15 people for the alleged crimes of illicit association, prohibited negotiations, bribery, falsification in a public document, prevarication, embezzlement and money laundering, in relation to the awarding of urban projects and municipal plots, as the case may be.
It was 2008 when the then mayor of Los Alcázares, the socialist Juan Escudero, was arrested and identified along with the former municipal architect -Mariano Ayuso-, the former secretary of the City Council, the brother of the municipal architect and two local businessmen. They are accused of allegedly trying to control the entire real estate market and architectural projects in the municipality of Los Alcázares.
After the conclusion of the investigation, the prosecutor presented an indictment in which he requested penalties totaling 20 years in prison for Mariano Ayuso, the main accused, a fine of more than 800,000 euros and up to 27 years of absolute disqualification. Penalties adhered to by the popular accusation and the accusation carried out by the Los Alcázares City Council.
Likewise, with different degrees of involvement, the accusations are directed against former mayor Juan Escudero, businessmen and associates of those public officials.
The three accusations also request civil liability derived from the crime. In the case of the public accusation, it requests that the Los Alcázares City Council be compensated with 3.7 million euros.
Bail of 4.9 million
In this sense, in the operative part, the company Garcerán Construcciones SL and the two managers of the company are required to provide a bond of 4.9 million euros, for which Mariano Ayuso must be jointly and severally liable. Former mayor Juan Escudero and another person under investigation are entitled to up to 246,495 euros in bail. And a bail of 1.3 million for two more defendants and the companies Dorma Golf SL and Ilka Baley SL. to ensure the pecuniary responsibilities that, if applicable, may be imposed. Establishing, in accordance with the Prosecution Law, that in the event that the loan is not provided, the seizure of its assets in sufficient quantity is decreed.
The judge maintains the obligation to appear in court for six investigated, although due to the time that has passed without there having been a breach of this precautionary measure, he spaces it out, from twice a month to once every two months.
The order, according to the sentence requested for the accusations, declares the Provincial Court of Murcia as the competent body for the prosecution and ruling of the procedure.
Finally, it is agreed to lift civil measures with respect to those accused for whom civil liability is not requested.
Once the proceedings have been received, the accused must submit a written statement of agreement or disagreement with the accusation within 10 days, proposing the evidence they intend to use.
There is no appeal against this order.
#judicial #delay #Region #Murcia #years #judge #embezzlement #public #funds
