The former president of the Almería Provincial Council, Javier Aureliano García, who held the position until last November, is now under judicial scrutiny for allegedly using public funds for a personal trip to Madrid. The journey, which took place between June 26 and 27, 2023, cost nearly 2,000 euros, covering flights and accommodation for García and his chief of staff, María del Mar González Zamora.
The Civil Guard's UCO unit documented that the trip lacked official justification, despite attempts to register it as an activity related to the FEMP (Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces). Investigations revealed that García did not attend any meetings or official engagements in the capital during his stay. His secretary, Rocío, reportedly asked if she should list the reason as FEMP, to which García affirmed.
Should we put FEMP [Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces]?” his secretary asked. “Of course,” García replied.
The judicial order, first reported by El País, details that the trip, costing 1,892.84 euros, was approved by Fernando Giménez, former vice-president of the Council and also implicated in the main case. The UCO, which had García's phone tapped, tracked his movements in Madrid, confirming that the trip's purpose was personal, specifically for an matter concerning his chief of staff.
During his time in Madrid, García did not visit the FEMP headquarters or participate in any official events. Instead, the UCO's investigation documented that the former president spent his time on leisure activities, such as strolling through Fuencarral, visiting El Corte Inglés, and dining at an expensive restaurant, incurring a bill of almost 400 euros. The travel invoice, issued to the Almería Provincial Council by Viajes Vertical, itemizes 662 euros for each flight and 282 euros for each hotel room.
This new inquiry adds to a primary case where García was already being investigated for alleged illegal commissions in contracts for sanitary material during the pandemic and irregular public works awards. The main investigation involves crimes such as bribery, money laundering, public procurement fraud, and embezzlement of public funds. The common link in these sub-plots is Óscar Liria, former vice-president of the Council, who allegedly received the commissions. García, who served as president of the PP of Almería and the Provincial Council, resigned on November 21 after his arrest.
