Rincon de la Victoria councillor resigns in connection with fake training courses

A COUNCILLOR in Rincon de la Victoria has resigned after being linked to the ‘Edu’ fraud case.

Dozens of people have already been arrested in connection to this case, a fraud scheme involving fake training courses, paid for by the Junta de Andalucia regional government, which never took place or were not carried out according to regulations established.

Manuel Sanchez, the councillor for Employment and Civil Protection in Rincon de la Victoria, said that the reasons behind his resignation were to avoid causing damage to his public reputation, his family and company, the council and the PP conservative party, which he represented, and to facilitate his legal defence.

In 2011, Mr Sanchez conducted an assistant chef training course for 15 unemployed residents over a period of six months at his restaurant in Torre de Begalbon, for which he received a public grant from the regional government of €60,750. He collected 75 per cent of the total grant and the Junta told him that, out of the remaining €15,000, he would only receive €5,000, as the goal to provide the students with a job was not reached.

After testifying at the National Police station, the councillor was charged and released. He then met with mayor of the town, Francisco Salado, and both decided that it was best for Mr Sanchez to leave his position as councillor. Sanchez had held the position for around two years, since substituting former councillor Antonio Gonzalez, who was forced to resign after he insulted member of the PSOE socialist party through his Facebook account.

“We have decided it was the best decision for all parties involved,” said the mayor.

The ex-councillor will also cancel his membership to the PP conservative party until the case goes to trial.