Spanish police have arrested over 20 people throughout the country, all tied to a corruption network led by former Valencia Community Delegate Serafin Castellano. The group is accused of price-fixing and manipulating public contracts for forest-fire management throughout Spain, Portugal and Italy. The alleged fraud amounts to over 100 million euros.
Agents from Spain’s Fiscal and Economic Crimes Unit stopped 20 people in Alicante, Valencia and other Spanish provinces, acting on information obtained after the arrest of Mr. Castellano in May 2015 over alleged influence-peddling with Valencia-based company Avialsa. The investigation so far points towards Avialsa’s president, Vicente Huerta, as the mastermind behind the ‘Fire Cartel’. At this time over 30 people and 20 separate companies are under investigation.
Authorities have opened classified proceedings for Criminal Conspiracy, manipulating public contracts, false merchandising, fraud, falsifying public documents and fraudulent negotiations with public officials, among other serious charges.
Full content: El Mundo
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
EU Extends Support for Farms and Fisheries Amid Market Disruptions
May 5, 2024 by
CPI
Sony and Apollo Bid $26 Billion for Paramount Acquisition
May 5, 2024 by
CPI
Goldman Sachs Resolves Decade-Old Metal-Rigging Class Action Lawsuit
May 5, 2024 by
CPI
Italian Antitrust Ruling Puts Halt on Intesa Sanpaolo’s Fintech Ambitions
May 5, 2024 by
CPI
Google Antitrust Case: Closing Arguments Conclude
May 5, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI