In September 2019, the Navarre-based company Servinabar hired Antonio Muñoz Cano, who at that time was subject to restrictions related to serving a sentence for a domestic violence offense. This individual is a relative of a former organizational secretary of one of Spain’s leading political parties. His employment was tied to a major reconstruction project on a bridge in Seville, which later became the focus of a corruption scandal.
Muñoz Cano was moved to a semi-freedom regime after serving part of his sentence in a prison on Mallorca, where he was incarcerated for causing harm to a woman. Following this, he was placed in a social adaptation center in Seville, which allowed him to work officially outside the institution. It was during this period that Servinabar offered him a job—a position that, as it later emerged, became a point of discussion between construction firm representatives and those implicated in the investigation.
Employment Amid Suspicious Contracts
Servinabar closely cooperated with the major construction firm Acciona Construcciones, which had been awarded a government contract to upgrade the Puente V Centenario in Seville. Emails between the companies’ executives revealed discussions regarding Muñoz Cano’s employment, which, according to investigators, may have been a form of favor within informal agreements.
From September 2019 to December 2022, Muñoz Cano was listed as the sole Servinabar employee directly present at the site. During this time, he received over 53,000 euros in 69 payments. His involvement in the project coincided with a period when the cost of the bridge reconstruction rose from 71 to 102 million euros, drawing scrutiny from regulatory bodies.
Family ties and political undertones
The case involves names of well-known politicians and their advisors who, according to investigators, may have received illegal payments for facilitating contract awards. Among them is a former transport minister and his circle. Although officials deny any wrongdoing, interest in the case remains high.
Particular attention is drawn to the fact that Muñoz Cano’s work permit was issued in March 2020, when strict pandemic restrictions were in effect nationwide. This allowed him to begin working at the site despite a countrywide travel ban.
Investigation details and public reaction
Investigators are reviewing correspondence between company representatives and analyzing the financial flows associated with the project. The focus is on possible schemes to inflate costs and distribute funds among participants. The public is demanding transparency and accountability, especially since the matter concerns state funds and major infrastructure projects.
The scandal surrounding Servinabar and its connections to politicians has become one of the most talked-about topics in Spain in recent years. It has once again raised questions about the influence of personal and family ties on government procurement decisions. The results of the investigation could impact not only the fate of certain individuals involved, but also the overall approach to oversight of budget allocation in the country.
