The seventh ruling from the Audiencia de Valencia addresses a dispute involving Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish football federation, and the architectural firm Gareid Proyectos CB, linked to an alleged housing reform. The court in Valencia partially upheld the decision of the 19th Court of First Instance, finding Rubiales responsible for a portion of the claimed debt to the architectural firm. The verdict specifies a payment of 1,544.37 euros, acknowledged as the outstanding balance for the housing renovation work performed for Rubiales. A larger claim of 121,544.37 euros was rejected, with the court noting that not all reform costs were deemed unpaid.
The defense of Gareid Proyectos CB asserted that the project and the reform of Rubiales’s residence took place between August 2015 and January 2016. The firm billed a total of 128,499.18 euros for services rendered, and Rubiales is said to have paid 6,954.81 euros. The defense of Rubiales, represented by lawyer José Vicente Gómez Tejedor, acknowledged the contract with Gareid Proyectos CB for the home renovation but challenged the overall amount claimed. Rubiales’s side contends that payments were made in four installments and that two initial bank receipts were discussed in conversations involving a Via IM employee, though Rubiales’s account status at that time was still open and no receipt was provided for those particular sums.
The architectural firm subsequently pursued a civil action against the bank employee for alleged false statements in the same civil case. The case progressed through Instruction Court 9 and the fourth section of the Valencia Courts, leading to a formal complaint filed by the firm. From May 27, 2019, to September 1, 2021, the civil request for payment was suspended as long as the criminal proceedings continued.
Following a careful review of the evidence presented at the hearings, the seven-division magistrates of the Valencian High Court determined that the 19th Circuit Court of First Instance erred in the scope of the award. The higher court concluded that Rubiales owes the architectural firm 1,544.37 euros and clarified that the court should also bear the costs of the appeal for Gareid Proyectos CB. The ruling left open the possibility of appealing the amount within 20 days while denying any appeal concerning the monetary valuation of the judgment itself. The decision was reported by regional media outlets associated with Prensa Ibérica, which includes coverage by Upgrade-EMV. (Attribution: Prensa Ibérica media network and related outlets)