Expatica news

Bail of Marbella corruption kingpin raised by EUR 3m

24 April 2008

MADRID – A week after posting bail of EUR 1 million to get out of prison, Juan Antonio Roca, the alleged architect of a vast network of corruption centred on Marbella, found himself behind bars again on Wednesday.

The former urban planning aide has been told by High Court Judge Pablo Ruiz to come up with an extra EUR 3 million or remain in prison until he stands trial over his role in the alleged embezzlement of EUR 26.7 million in public money from the City of Marbella between 1991 and 1995.

Prosecutors are seeking a 10-year sentence in that case, in addition to the time Roca will face if found guilty of embezzlement charges uncovered by police in the so-called Malaya case in 2006.

Roca, who allegedly oversaw a network of corrupt politicians and unscrupulous real estate developers, posted bail of EUR 1 million on 14 April after spending two years in prison awaiting trial on charges for his involvement in the Malaya case.

[El Pais / Expatica]