The conservative Mayor of Lanjarón, Eric Escobedo, has accused the previous socialist mayor of corruption.

According to Mayor Escobedo, the Public Prosecutor considers that there is evidence enough to prosecute ex-Mayor Mariano Ruiz.

Sr. Ruiz allegedly leased a rubbish-collection lorry belonging to his friend and colleague, Juan José Castillo, who is the socialist mayor of Albondón. This rental agreement reportedly cost 7,000 euros a month for over two years, producing a bill for 168,000 euros all told.

This was supposedly done ‘al dedo,’ which means that the choice was arbitrary, without putting the contract out to tender. The present mayor says for that sum of money, the Lanjarón Town Hall could have bought a brand new vehicle of this kind, outright.

The ex-Mayor, on the other hand, says that the cost was “in no way” 168,000 euros.

But Mayor Escobedo has another complaint against the former mayor, claiming that the equipping of the municipal kindergarten was done through a company belonging to a friend of the socialist party spokesman of the PSOE. Again, the contract, worth 18,000 euros, was allegedly awarded without putting it out to tender.

The case is ongoing.

(News: Lanjaron, Alpujarra, Granada, Andalucia)