The Public Prosecutor’s Office has asked a judge to summon Carolina Gracia, spokesperson for the PSOE in Orihuela, to testify as a formal suspect in a case involving the alleged disclosure of confidential information.
The case stems from a complaint filed by a senior municipal official, who claims that Gracia accessed and later shared personal data from their administrative file. The information related to a request submitted to the local council seeking permission to take on a second role as a university lecturer.
According to prosecutors, Gracia accessed the file in October with authorization from the mayor and subsequently released details from it in a press statement sent to media outlets. The complaint argues that the disclosed information was confidential and should not have been made public.
The Prosecutor’s Office considers that these actions may constitute a criminal offence of revealing secrets under Spanish law. If charged and convicted, Gracia could face:
- A fine of 12–18 months
- Prison sentence of 2–4 years
- Disqualification from public office for 1–3 years
The complainant maintains that while elected officials can access municipal records, the law strictly limits their use to official duties and prohibits sharing such information with third parties or for political or media purposes. The complaint also alleges that the disclosure caused reputational harm and included inaccurate or misleading claims.
Gracia, however, denies wrongdoing. She argues that her access was lawful and part of her oversight role, and that she only disclosed the existence of the compatibility request without revealing personal data. She maintains her actions were justified under transparency and the right to information.
