The big clean up

The number of arrests of councillors and officials  in this area over the last few weeks is almost unbelievable, even for an area  blighted by fraudulent activity involving politicians and construction industry chiefs.

Those arrested join a long list of local politicians and company bosses who are being investigated for alleged corruption including; former Partido Popular (PP) mayor of Orihuela José Manuel Medina for allegedly taking favours from promoters, former Socialist (PSOE) party mayor of Catral José Manuel Rodríguez Leal for allowing 1,300 illegal homes to be built on rural land without planning permission and Benitachell mayor Juan Cardona and his deputy Hennelore Rheindorf for allegedly taking money to alter the town plan.