Former Government Commissioner for DANA Denies Diploma Forgery Charges. In Valencia, the former government commissioner for DANA testified in court, denying that he had forged his diploma. He is accused of using an invalid document to work in the administration. The case has been reopened following an appeal.
A high-profile investigation continues in Valencia involving the former government commissioner for DANA under Pedro Sánchez's cabinet. At a court hearing, ex-official Josep María Ángel categorically denied accusations of diploma forgery, which, according to the investigation, allowed him to obtain a position in the administration. As reported by EL PAÍS, Ángel told Judge Jorge Martínez Ribera that he had committed no wrongdoing with the documents and did not alter the submitted certificate.
At the center of the case is a diploma in archival science and library studies dated 1983. Investigators believe this document is not recognized by the University of Valencia, as the relevant academic program only began in 1990. Nevertheless, Ángel included the diploma in his file when applying to work at the Diputación de Valencia, where, according to the institution's own calculations, he could have received more than €160,000 in undue payments. Representatives of the Diputación de Valencia, currently headed by Vicente Mompó (PP), are participating in the proceedings as the prosecuting party.
Ángel himself, who previously also held the post of director of emergency services in Ximo Puig's government (2015–2023), declined to speak to the press after an hour-and-a-half interrogation, limiting himself to a brief comment about his state of health and his intention to convey his position to the court. He also emphasized that in the early 1980s, higher education was not required for the position, and he submitted the relevant documents.
The case against Ángel began following a complaint by the organization Manos Limpias. In October 2025, the court of first instance dismissed the investigation, citing the statute of limitations under Article 131 of the Penal Code. However, in April 2026, the Valencia Court of Appeal upheld the complaints by Manos Limpias and Diputación de Valencia, ordering the proceedings to be reopened. According to case materials, the investigation was triggered by a publication in El Mundo, and Ángel himself had previously served as mayor of L’Eliana and president of the PSPV-PSOE. After the scandal broke out, he was hospitalized in Valencia.
The trial is presided over by a judge whose spouse is investigating the consequences of the 2024 DANA in Catarroja. In Spain, such cases attract wide public attention, especially against the backdrop of other high-profile cases involving public officials. For comparison, a recent football match in Colombia drew significant attention when a dramatic turn of events sent Junior to the semifinals — details about this event are available here.
Context: DANA is an acronym for powerful atmospheric phenomena that cause floods and emergencies in Spain. In recent years, the transparency of official appointments and the verification of their qualifications have come under particular scrutiny. According to EL PAÍS, Ángel continues to maintain his innocence and claims that his degree was not decisive for his employment. The final decision in this case could influence the practice of document verification in Spanish government institutions.
