La ex concejala de Orihuela Costa, Martina Scheurer, (2011-2015), compareció en el tribunal el jueves junto al gerente de la empresa Chiringuitos del Sol, Thomas Herteux, enfrentando cargos de prevaricación administrativa, fraude y divulgación de información privilegiada.
La audiencia estaba originalmente programada para febrero, pero se pospuso debido a la enfermedad del abogado de su coacusado.
Scheurer está siendo juzgada junto a Thomas Herteux, empresario y gerente de Chiringuitos del Sol, en un caso relacionado con la adjudicación de contratos de chiringuitos en Orihuela Costa en 2014.
La acusación sostiene que Scheurer creó un contrato a medida para la empresa para renovar su concesión, a pesar de que la empresa debía 944,000 euros al Ayuntamiento de Orihuela.
Esta deuda debería haber descalificado a la empresa de participar en el proceso de licitación, ya que los participantes debían declarar que no tenían deudas pendientes con la administración.
Además, la empresa ganó la licitación cumpliendo un requisito adicional introducido por Scheurer, que era proporcionar un certificado de calidad, un estándar que muy pocas empresas tenían en ese momento, pero Chiringuitos del Sol lo había obtenido unos meses antes.
La acusación busca una sentencia de prisión de un año y nueve meses por cada cargo, y una prohibición de diez años para Scheurer de ejercer cargos públicos. Thomas Herteux enfrenta cargos similares con una propuesta de sentencia ligeramente diferente. Aunque el Ayuntamiento de Orihuela no está directamente involucrado en el caso, Pedro Mancebo, predecesor de Scheurer, está representado en el juicio.
During the trial, Scheurer acknowledged her lack of experience with administrative procedures but claimed that municipal technicians assured her that there was no issue with the company’s debt.
She stated that she, or possibly the mayor, had asked the company to pay the debt, but the company’s lawyer claimed they were not the correct person to address the issue. Scheurer also denied taking sole responsibility for including the quality certificate clause, attributing the decision to a joint effort with the mayor and other members of the governing team.
The prosecution suggested that there ‘may’ have been a meeting between Scheurer and the company manager, where the idea of a quality certificate was discussed, which later appeared in the contract. Scheurer denied such a meeting, stating that she had only met the manager once during a presentation and another time at a tourism event.
Regarding the changes to the contract, Scheurer explained that it was necessary to update the terms to ensure the quality of the beach services, which had earned numerous international distinctions, including Blue Flags and Q of Tourism Quality awards. She also stated that she and her colleagues were not satisfied with the contract prepared by the previous administration.
The trial continues, with further sessions scheduled for April, including testimony from municipal staff and other failed bidders who were involved in the contract.
Several key figures, including former mayor Monserrate Guillén Sáez, current Socialist councillor Carolina Gracia (who was Finance, Youth, and Festivities councillor at the time), and general secretary Virgilio Estremera, are also expected to testify as witnesses during the trial.