Unholy mess over Pope's visit
Former regional president Francisco Camps faces new court probe over his time in power
Former Valencia regional president Francisco Camps faces new court probe over his time in power
THE PROSECUTION service has alleged an unholy alliance was formed to defraud the public purse during the Pope’s visit to the Valencia region in 2006.
Suspects include the former Partido Popular (PP) president of the Valencia region, Francisco Camps; Valencia bishop Esteban Escudero; and former speaker in the Valencia parliament and PP strongman Juan Cotino, who claims to be a devout Catholic.
The Regional Supreme Court (TSJ) in Valencia sent out a press release on Friday explaining that charges of misusing public funds, forgery and abuse of public office are being considered against the suspects.
A spokeswoman noted that the courts had opened an investigation in 2016 into irregularities in the public contracts handed out for the World Meeting of Families held in Valencia city.
A total of €22 million was stumped up for the event, with most of the cash provided by the Valencia regional government, according to national newspaper El País.
As a result of the two-year probe, Sr Camps will be called for questioning under caution – along with nine other suspects. The TSJ spokeswoman reminded that the case forms part of the sprawling Gürtel investigation, which has already seen suspects jailed on corruption charges in the Valencia region and other parts of Spain.
“They are investigating if these contracts were awarded without adhering to the general rules governing public contracts – and whether they were handed out without being offered via a public tender process,” she noted.
The official questioning by the judge will take place once the suspects have been given full access to the court proceedings.
Following the questioning, the judge will decide whether to formally charge the suspects, who also include former regional vice-president Víctor Campos.
Sr Camps told state news agency EFE that he had played no official part in the visit.
He stated that he was ‘only honorary president of the foundation’ which organised the event and was not involved in its management or the signing of contracts.
At the same time he said that he was sure that they ‘had done everything correctly’ and that no irregularity had occurred.
Sr Camps is also being investigated by the courts in two other cases related to his time at the helm of the Valencia region.
Both relate to the Formula One European Grand Prix held on a street circuit in Valencia city.
A total of €22 million was spent on the event, with most of the cash provided by the Valencia regional government