Embezzlement suspected in Benalmadena Port

MALAGA Public Prosecutor is investigating evidence of embezzlement in the management of Benalmadena Port during former mayor Enrique Moya’s term of office.

The investigation was launched in August by the new management of the marina, presided by the Welfare Councillor Francisco Salido, because the Kaleido disco was allowed to set up a terrace in a public area in the summer of 2009.

It allegedly did not have authorization from the Andalucian Public Ports Agency. During the two years it remained it place, no money was received by the town hall and the debt amounted to almost €67,000.

The Port Authorities ordered for it to be removed in February 2011 and the company which owns Kaleido and the port councillor requested a report to determine the amount invested to set it up, allegedly in order to determine what possible compensation they could obtain.

Salido considers this “suspicious” as the agreement signed between the company and the town hall stipulated that if there was a justified reason for revoking the authorization, the town hall would not have to pay compensation.

The compensation was finally set at €66,000, which was subtracted from the amount the company should have paid the town hall for allowing them to have the terrace, and the remaining amount was paid to the owners of Kaleido.

According to Salido and the legal advisor for the municipal company, Jose Manuel Merino, the prosecutor has provided a Torremolinos court with all the documents regarding the case and it is believed that the former Partido Popular mayor will be called to give a statement, as well as the former councillor for the port, Maria del Carmen Romero.

By Jennifer Leighfield