So called Bitàcora case, related to the irregularities that took place in the department for Tourism of the local government, was concluded yesterday with minimal sentences. Sanctions were agreed between the public anticorruption prosecutor and the defense lawyers, after a negotiation that forced the accused to confess and to return the money. In exchange the prosecution requested only sentences that would not involve prison. In most cases the sanctions are economical. This case pivoted on Francesc Buils, the ex-minister for Tourism in the past Pacte coalition government, and accused of corruption for the second time.
Miguel Ángel Bonet, previously legal advisor to the Department of Tourism and on whom weigh another sentence for corruption, also admitted his guilt. He will pay a fine and spend six months in prison. The other five accused will also be sanctioned with fines. These are Maria Magdalena Estarellas, Silvia Riera, Cristina Sastre, Micaela Sastre and Baltasar Estarellas. They all reached an agreement with the prosecution, which had requested long prison sentences and return of the embezzled funds. The local government has recovered almost 40.000 euros. After this economical contribution, the prosecution accepted that confession and repair of the damages would be accepted as mitigating circumstances. The economic sanctions to be paid by the accused, on top of this compensation, are around 2.000 and 3.000 euros.
Complete article (Spanish).
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