In Catalonia, the TSJC is investigating ERC MP and former Interior Minister Joan Ignasi Elena over alleged administrative prevarication linked to legal advisory contracts in Altafulla, Tarragona. The case also involves former ICV coordinator Joan Herrera, while Félix Alonso Cantorné, the former mayor of Altafulla and now a Sumar MP in the Spanish Congress, is being investigated by the Supreme Court.
The case centres on legal advisory contracts awarded by Altafulla Town Council between 2017 and 2019, when Alonso was mayor. The contracts were with Milá Advocats SLP and Sinergia Dret i Medi Ambient SLP, a company co-owned by Elena and Herrera. The contracts were allegedly awarded without following the proper rules.
On Wednesday, the TSJC’s Civil and Criminal Chamber agreed to take over the investigation after a recommendation from the Public Prosecutor. The court said this was because Elena, as a Catalan MP, has special legal protection, known as aforamiento, before the TSJC. Alonso Cantorné has similar protection before the Supreme Court.
Magistrate Carlos Ramos is leading the investigation. The court order says the Supreme Court is already examining Alonso Cantorné for what it describes as sufficiently solid evidence of criminal responsibility in some public contracting processes, and adds that Elena and Herrera could have acted as cooperators in those processes. Both were partners and administrators of Sinergia Energia Dret i Medi Ambient SLP, also referred to as Sinergia EDM.
The judges say Altafulla Town Council allegedly used the minor contract route fraudulently to avoid legal requirements when hiring Sinergia EDM. They also point to possible irregularities, including bypassing the correct procedure and budget rules, misusing contract extensions, and using the minor contract category improperly. The council also reportedly acted against unfavourable reports from the municipal comptroller and without the required reports from the Town Council Secretary. Herrera told La Vanguardia that he had no relationship with these companies at the time of the extension under investigation.
The magistrates also note that the municipal corporation allegedly contracted companies run by people with close political ties to the mayor’s party, Sumar En Comú Podem. They say those involved could not have been unaware of public contracting rules, given their public and professional experience. Elena is a lawyer specialising in this field and previously served as mayor of another town.
The investigation will now continue under the TSJC’s jurisdiction as the court examines the alleged wrongdoing and the roles of those involved. For more Catalonia politics coverage, see our news page.