Details of corruption schemes involving municipal authorities continue to surface in Spain. This time, the spotlight is on Sabadell, where the Mercurio case investigation has returned to public attention. A Barcelona court is reviewing an episode involving an attempt to evade taxes amounting to just over 1,800 euros, highlighting how even relatively small sums can lead to high-profile cases and call into question the transparency of local government operations.
According to El Pais, the main figures involved are the owner of the BMW Sitjas Motor dealership, his tax advisor, and a builder who turned out to be a relative of former city leader Manel Bustos. All three have admitted taking part in a scheme that concealed the expansion of the auto service center from the municipality, thereby reducing the tax burden. This case once again raises concerns about how closely personal connections and official powers are intertwined in some Spanish cities.
The scheme and its participants
The events date back to 2009, when the dealership owner tasked his acquaintance, constructor Melquíades Garrido—who at the time headed the local builders’ association—with expanding the workshop. The project increased the facility’s footprint almost fivefold, but for a long period, these changes were not officially recorded in city documents. According to investigators, the tax advisor suggested backdating fictitious documents to avoid retroactive tax assessments for previous years.
When it became clear that the changes could not be concealed, those involved in the scheme tried to find a way to legalize the work that had already been done. They turned to city officials for help, including Montserrat Capdevila, who was then a member of the city council and now heads territorial education services in Vallès Occidental. After unsuccessful attempts to resolve the matter officially, they found a local builder willing to issue a fake invoice to legitimize the workshop extension.
The role of the municipality
The hearings revealed that contacts with city hall representatives were limited to technical consultations, but the very fact of appealing to officials for personal matters raised questions for investigators. One of the defendants admitted he tried to find out if work could be validated using delivery notes. Nevertheless, none of these attempts succeeded in making the changes legal, and, in the end, a fraudulent document was used.
The car showroom owner and his advisor answered questions briefly in court, without denying their guilt. According to El Pais, they expressed regret over what happened. The prosecution is seeking prison sentences of up to two years for them and slightly shorter terms for Melquíades Garrido and Montserrat Capdevila. A total of ten people are charged in this case.
Context and consequences
The case involving fake invoices is just one of six incidents still under investigation in the Mercurio probe, launched by Mossos d’Esquadra back in 2012. This operation has already resulted in the imprisonment of the former mayor of Sabadell for various violations. Manel Bustos currently faces two more cases related to possible abuse of office. His relative, Melquíades Garrido, is also involved in a separate case concerning document forgery.
Scandals involving municipal authorities are not uncommon in Spain. For instance, a recent case in Castellón saw an official forced to resign after it was revealed they had a large number of unpaid fines, sparking debate over trust in local government. You can read more about similar incidents in the article on the high-profile resignation at Castellón City Hall.
In recent years, Spain has seen a growing number of court cases related to even minor sums involving taxes or municipal fees. This reflects society’s increasing intolerance toward corruption at all levels. In 2025, several cities opened cases against officials suspected of abusing their positions in the allocation of municipal contracts. These cases show a heightened focus on transparency and accountability in government work, and that any attempt to circumvent the law, even for small amounts, can carry serious consequences for those involved.
