An interesting comment

Rafael Valiente Ortiz has written on his blog about the Bigastro case.

He explains that in the early nineteenth century, Spain was stripped of its wealth when it lost the overseas colonies which meant the population were poor, hungry and miserable. This situation gave rise to gangs of bandits in the form of modern day Robin Hoods who stole from the rich to give to the poor. Since you do not denounce the hands that feed you, the bandits were able to carry out their crimes unimpeded.

During the great depression of 1928, Spain was under a dictatorship which lasted until the arrival of democracy. The new regime meant that everything would become OK but was that really the case?

Corruption became rife as mayors, congressmen and senators offered favours and perks in return for votes. Once they had established their power, they were able to line their own pockets knowing that the people could say nothing. They were able to offer prominent positions to their friends and family and thus extended their influence. Even if the people wanted change, it would have been impossible – they were so indebted to the politicians who by then had the upper hand and total control.

	In his blog, Ortiz says that Bigastro is a paradigm of this model with the socialist mayors, José Joaquín Moya followed by Raúl Valerio Medina offering favours in return for both votes and silence whilst at the same time lining their own pockets. That is an interesting theory which has yet to be tested and proven in court.
	Raúl Valerio Medina  was at court yesterday to give his testimony. He claims that it was not him but the technicians who were to blame for the false payments.
	José Joaquín Moya, mayor between 1983 and 2008, arriving at court. He has refused to say anything to the press about his testimony.