The majority of complaints received by the Agency’s alert mailbox about fraud and corruption in the Valencian Community originate from municipalities. Local government is questioned far more often than, for example, the Generalitat. While concerns about the Generalitat’s work have diminished, despite the Consell managing around 25,000 million euros annually and a budget that grows each year, the scrutiny remains intense for local offices.
In a 2021 report presented to the Economic Commission of the Courts this Tuesday by Joan Llinares, director of the Anti-Fraud Office, it was noted that nearly seven out of ten reported illegal practices affect local government, compared with about fifteen percent for autonomous communities. The trend shows a decline for autonomous entities since 2018, when they accounted for 30 percent, down to 20 percent in 2020, signaling a shift in where concerns are being raised and investigated. [Attribution: Anti-Fraud Office, Llinares]
In absolute terms, complaints about local government rose to 241 in the most recent year, up from 131 the year before and 89 the year before that, indicating persistent growth. Regarding matters tied to the Generalitat, fifty-three individuals were taken into custody in this period. [Attribution: Anti-Fraud Office]
Municipalities accounted for 70 percent of complaints filed with the Anti-Fraud Office. The trend underscores the significant role local administrations play in fraud and corruption cases and the growing attention they receive from oversight bodies. [Attribution: Anti-Fraud Office]
Local Police under Pressure
Across the board, complaints have surged by about 58 percent (to 359), and during the first quarter of 2022 alone, alerts reached 115, a figure that would climb to around 430 in a full year ahead. The rise coincides with the political climate that previously elevated the local police to a position of pronounced attention among opposition groups. Roughly half of the complaints concern human resources management, followed by subsidies and urban planning issues that extend beyond public procurement concerns. [Attribution: Anti-Fraud Office]
For city councils where the principles of equality, merit, and capacity are not guaranteed, concerns have focused on staff selection processes and unfair public remuneration. Llinares has described these situations as corruption cases and has urged reforms to strengthen oversight. [Attribution: Anti-Fraud Office]
He urged a break from past experiences and called for the implementation of tools that improve oversight and control, arguing that stronger governance can save substantial sums. The political parties have weighed in, with the opposition highlighting emergency contracts and the purchase of sanitary supplies in excess of thresholds as a point of scrutiny. Statements from party representatives emphasize the need for transparent processes and accountability, while others argue that a robust anti-fraud framework could have mitigated costly missteps. [Attribution: Political Office, Opposition]
Investigation into Emergency Contracts Nearing Completion
Anti-fraud authorities are conducting an open investigation into the Generalitat’s emergency contracts during the pandemic, and sources confirm that the file is nearing completion. In response to questions from the opposition about emergency procurements, the party director reaffirmed the commitment to publish findings where errors occurred. The emphasis was placed on the lack of internal control during the emergency period, describing the mistakes as impacting large monetary amounts. While cost overruns could not be prevented entirely, officials argued that better internal processes could have rationalized or streamlined operations. [Attribution: Anti-Fraud Office]
The overarching message from investigators is a call for stronger internal oversight to prevent lapses in public spending and to ensure that urgent needs are met without compromising integrity. The ongoing review aims to identify specific failures and propose practical measures to avoid similar issues in future crises. [Attribution: Anti-Fraud Office]
In the context of governance, the pursuit of greater transparency and responsible management remains a central objective for oversight bodies. The discussion around emergency contracts reflects a broader effort to align urgent public procurement with robust controls, ensuring that emergency responses are both timely and properly governed. [Attribution: Anti-Fraud Office]