The Criminal Court 3 of Orihuela has sentenced the former mayor of San Fulgencio, Carlos Ramírez (PP), eighteen months in prison for a crime of fraud in which he employed a member of the PP as a caretaker through a company without going through any selective or employment procedures.  It is understood that the individual in question actually stood as a PP candidate in 2004.

The individual was employed for in the La Marina Sports facility for three years during which time the company received 87,859 euros.

In addition, the court imposed a penalty of 7 years disqualification from public office. As the prison sentence is less than two years it will not be carried out.

The manager of the gaining company was also sentenced to one and a half years for fraud, and to 3 years of disqualification. The ruling states that the employer benefited from Ramírez’s decision.

In terms of civil liability Ramirez and the manager of the firm must compensate the City with 16,695 euros.

Ramirez was the mayor of San Fulgencio until forced to resign over accusations of fraud in February 2017.