Concejal de Movilidad in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Under Fire for Concealing Imputation

In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the local government of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Concejal (Councillor) of Mobility, Employment, and Central District, José Eduardo Ramírez, has been accused of concealing his imputation for alleged administrative prevarication from the city council.

The Allegations

The controversy came to light on November 4, 2024, when David Suárez, the spokesperson for Coalición Canaria (CC) in the Ayuntamiento (City Council) of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, publicly criticized Ramírez for not disclosing his legal situation to the council. Ramírez, who also serves as the president of Guaguas Municipales, the city's public transportation company, was investigated by a judge on June 26, 2024, for a presumed administrative prevarication offense.

Financial Irregularities

At the heart of the allegations is the improper allocation of 1.8 million euros by Guaguas Municipales without following the required contracting procedures. This irregularity was highlighted by the Tribunal de Cuentas (Court of Auditors), which identified up to 30 invoices paid in 2021 without adhering to the Public Sector Contracts Law. Some of these invoices amount to as much as 118,669 euros, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability within the municipal administration.

Call for Transparency and Accountability

Suárez from Coalición Canaria has demanded immediate explanations from both Ramírez and the city's mayor. He emphasized the need for clarity on what transpired, the steps being taken to cooperate with the judicial investigation, and why such significant financial transactions were made without proper procedures.

"It is evident that there was a deliberate attempt to hide this serious news from the public, which has left us very concerned," Suárez stated. He argued that the appropriate course of action would have been for Ramírez to inform the council or hold a press conference to disclose his situation, rather than keeping it under wraps.

Implications and Public Reaction

The concealment of Ramírez's imputation has sparked widespread concern among the public and other political groups. The lack of transparency and potential misuse of public funds have eroded trust in the local government, prompting calls for greater accountability and oversight.

As the investigation unfolds, the city council is under increasing pressure to address these allegations and ensure that all financial transactions are conducted with the utmost transparency and in accordance with the law. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining ethical governance and the importance of public scrutiny in holding elected officials accountable.