Major Sentencing in Canarian Corruption Case
The Second Section of the Provincial Court of Las Palmas sentenced former Arrecife mayor Isabel Déniz (2000-2007) and former council secretary Felipe Fernández Camero to over ten years in prison in January 2024 for their involvement in the Jable case, the largest corruption scandal in the Canary Islands. The ruling also convicted seven others. However, none of them have yet served their sentences.
Almost a year and ten months later, appeals filed by the convicted individuals have yet to reach the Supreme Court. They are waiting for all judges from the Provincial Court of Las Palmas to sign off before the case can be sent to the High Court.
Details of the Jable Operation
The Jable Operation was named by the Central Operational Unit (UCO) and is referred to as the most complex judicial case in the Canary Islands due to its size and scope. This plot emerged after irregularities were found in contracts awarded to the companies Urbaser and Fomento Construcción y Contratas (FCC) for waste management in Arrecife during Déniz’s term and the construction of the controversial Argana pavilion, which remains closed to the public.
The National Court issued a clarifying ruling in May 2024, responding to requests from Felipe Fernández Camero and Isabel Déniz, who sought a reduced sentence after depositing money into the judicial deposit before the oral hearing. In that resolution, the Court dismissed both requests, stating that Camero “was part of the largest corruption scheme that has afflicted the Canary Islands” and continued his “criminal activity to secure greater profits.”
Sentencing of Déniz and Camero
The Provincial Court of Las Palmas sentenced Isabel Déniz to ten and a half years in prison, a fine of €282,000, and a 42-year disqualification from holding public office for five different offences, including two counts of bribery, two of misconduct, and one of fraud against the administration.
Felipe Fernández Camero received a sentence of ten years and three months for fraud, bribery, disclosure of secrets, and dishonesty in the custody of public documents. The Court also imposed a financial penalty of €32,837.76 and thirty years of disqualification from holding any public office, along with the confiscation of €14,000 given to him by Urbaser officials Manuel Andrés Martínez, Santiago Alonso Herreros, and Jacinto Álvarez de la Fuente.
Rafael Arrocha, the then head of the Technical Office of the Arrecife City Council, was sentenced to five years in prison, a €100,000 fine, and disqualification from public office for 25 years and eight months.
Further Convictions
Dimas Martín, a long-time former leader of the Lanzarote Independents Party (PIL), received a two and a half year prison sentence, a €72,000 fine, and twelve years disqualification for the crimes of fraud against the administration and bribery, taking into account mitigating circumstances for prior confessions and undue delays in proceedings.
The former executives of Urbaser, Manuel Andrés Martínez and Santiago Alonso, reached an agreement with the court after confessing their involvement. They received two-year prison sentences for fraud, bribery, insider trading, and falsification by a public official, as well as fines exceeding €110,000, two years of disqualification, and responsibility for partial legal costs.
Meanwhile, the Urbaser manager in Lanzarote, Jacinto Álvarez, was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison.
Additionally, there were sentences against FCC officials, with Francisco Martínez Llerandi receiving a one-year prison term and another one for public office disqualification, alongside a €55,000 fine and contribution to legal costs. Enrique José Hernández was sentenced to one year and three months in prison, disqualification from passive suffrage for the duration of his sentence, a €16,674.11 fine, and special disqualification.
José Domingo Abreut was ordered to pay €141,000 as a benefit received.
Acquittals
Finally, the court acquitted Enrique Astorga González, Manuel Jesús Isidro Espínola, Julio Pedro Romero, Daniel Hernández Caraballo, Rafael Antonio Corujo, Miguel Ángel Leal, and Stephan Jean Balverde of all charges against them, ruling for the waiver of costs. The Provincial Court also acquitted Elena Martín, Urbaser S.A., and FCC Construcción S.A., who were named as beneficiaries.
