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Alcoy Official Investigated for 400,000 Euro Irregular Contracts

Mayor Toni Francés reports on a disciplinary investigation into alleged minor contract and invoice awards to an associate, totaling 400,000 euros over ten years.

Stone town hall facade with balcony and iron railings, afternoon sunlight.
IA

Stone town hall facade with balcony and iron railings, afternoon sunlight.

Alcoy Mayor Toni Francés announced on Thursday the opening of a disciplinary investigation into a civil servant from the General Inspection of Services (IGS) department for alleged irregular awards of minor contracts and invoices paid to an associate, reportedly her husband.

The total amount of the alleged irregular contract awards amounts to approximately 400,000 euros over a 10-year period. According to the mayor, while most invoices were under 1,000 euros, contracts of higher amounts have been detected since last summer until January. Notably, one of the implicated companies received a contract just two weeks after its incorporation last November.
The issue was detected in February when repeated awards to the same company were observed. This information was communicated to the councilor for the area, Jordi Martínez, and subsequently to the mayor, who initiated a preliminary investigation to verify the indications. The Personnel department concluded there was evidence of a very serious offense for allegedly granting invoices and minor contracts to direct individuals and companies without the official having recused herself.
On May 12, the disciplinary proceedings were opened against the municipal technician, and an instructor was appointed. The mayor emphasized that neither he nor any other member of the City Council has access to the file, as only the instructor can consult and manage it, comparing it to judicial secrecy.
Francés detailed that when contracts went through the Governing Board, it was verified that three or more quotes were requested and the contract was awarded to the cheapest offer. "What we cannot know are the personal relationships of civil servants," he stated. The mayor reiterated that if the investigation uncovers criminal liability, the case will be transferred to the court; if they are administrative offenses, sanctions will be determined; and if everything is in order, it will be archived.
Furthermore, the mayor announced an investigation to determine who leaked sensitive, unanonymized documents to a media outlet, calling the act illicit and stating that decisive action will be taken. Municipal groups were informed of these matters beforehand in a spokespersons' meeting.
Separately, the mayor explained a reorganization within the IGS department due to a second case, distinct from the contract awards. On March 5, a complaint of workplace harassment against a civil servant was filed by several anonymous department employees. Following an investigation, it was concluded on April 21 that there were no indications of workplace harassment, and the proceedings were closed. A similar complaint was received in April concerning the same department head and was closed similarly. Although no workplace harassment occurred, there is conflict within IGS, which led to the reorganization.

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