The Orihuela City Council has strongly defended the legality and transparency of the appointment of a municipal official as interim Treasurer and Auditor following media reports of a complaint filed with the Prosecutor’s Office.
Government spokesperson Víctor Valverde stated that the reports present a biased and inaccurate version of events, emphasizing that legal reviews by the Chief Legal Officer and Municipal Legal Counsel found no irregularities or criminal actions.
The council has not yet received official notice of the complaint, which reportedly accuses the Secretary General of improper conduct to benefit his wife, María Teresa Almela.
The council firmly denies any wrongdoing, calling the allegations defamatory and politically motivated. They argue that the Secretary General has an impeccable record of upholding legal and municipal interests. The complaint was reportedly filed by two former municipal employees with the intent to damage reputations.
See Also: Orihuela’s Secretary General accused of document falsification
The legal reports confirm that the appointments followed proper legal procedures, obtaining necessary approvals from the Directorate General of Local Administration. The council trusts that the Prosecutor’s Office will dismiss the case due to a lack of evidence and is considering legal action to defend the institution and the officials involved.
Mayor Pepe Vegara criticized the attacks on municipal employees, suggesting that some seek notoriety through defamation. Both the government and opposition members, including VOX spokesperson Manuel Mestre, expressed full support for the accused officials, highlighting their professionalism and integrity.
