A scandal is unfolding in Maracena (Granada) that could reshape how residents view their local government. The former mayor, Julio PΓ©rez Ortega, is under judicial investigation for possible misuse of municipal funds and concerns about administrative transparency. According to El Pais, the actions in question took place between June 2023 and April 2024, when PΓ©rez Ortega held the office of mayor.
The core allegation is that the former mayor, according to investigators, used municipal funds to purchase online access to a service providing economic and property reports. Over several months, more than 90 searches were conducted, including not only current and former politicians but also private individuals unrelated to official municipal affairs. El Pais notes these reports were neither formalized as official documents nor used in administrative proceedings, raising questions about the purpose of such searches.
Investigation details
The total amount spent on these reports reached β¬2,375.65. City authorities claim that these expenses had no legal basis and the information obtained was not used in municipal operations. The court is also examining another episode: PΓ©rez Ortega hired a lawyer to represent the municipality in the kidnapping case of former Socialist councilor Vanessa Romero, even though the court had denied the city standing as a private prosecutor.
According to El Pais, the decision to hire a lawyer was made personally by the former mayor, without the required legal opinions or council approval. The Madrid-based lawyer, BΓ‘rbara Royo, billed β¬12,100 for preparing a strategy and analyzing the case, and was later paid even though the court refused to let the municipality participate in the process. These circumstances formed the basis for the charges against PΓ©rez Ortega for abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.
Political background
The story began with an incident in February 2023, when Vanessa Romero was abducted by the former partner of then socialist mayor Berta Linares. The case generated widespread public attention and triggered political upheaval: after the elections in May 2023, the socialists lost control of the city and power shifted to Partido Popular. However, ten months later, after the investigation against the socialists resulted in no charges, PSOE returned to lead the city through a vote of no confidence.
The court proceedings in the abduction case are still ongoing, with the main suspect awaiting trial. Meanwhile, new charges against the former Partido Popular mayor have added tension to the political climate in Maracena. As El Pais notes, current city officials have initiated an inquiry, collected documents, and handed them over to the court.
Parallels and consequences
A similar situation is observed in other municipalities across Andalusia. For instance, in the city of Baza, also in the province of Granada, the Tribunal de Cuentas has launched an inquiry involving the current Partido Popular mayor and three colleagues. They are suspected of holding dual positions and possibly causing budgetary losses totaling over 345,000 euros. The complaint was filed by former socialist mayor Manuel GavilΓ‘n GarcΓa, who now serves on the city council.
Cases like these are becoming increasingly prominent in Spain. For example, Madrid recently saw a high-profile trial involving accusations against a former police commissioner linked to the transfer of personal data belonging to an adviser of the Podemos leader. This case, as detailed in the report on the legal disputes surrounding Villarejo, also sparked intense debate and raised questions about the transparency of government operations.
In recent years, Spain has seen a rise in cases where municipal officials are investigated over questionable spending or unclear contracts. In 2025, several cities across Andalusia faced cases related to the misappropriation of funds for legal services and consulting reports. Analysts note that these proceedings often lead to changes in local government and intensify public demand for transparency. As a result, each new investigation becomes not only a legal matter but also a political event that influences public trust in government institutions.
