Supreme Court clears way for Fabra to face fiscal charges
Former provincial leader of Castellón thought to have defrauded 1.5 million euros over five years
The Supreme Court has rejected the prescription of four of five financial crimes leveled against the former leader of the Castellón provincial government, Carlos Fabra. In a court order published on Thursday, the magistrates admitted the prosecution's arguments against the prescription, determined by the Castellón High Court, paving the way for Fabra, a PP heavyweight who was very visible during Mariano Rajoy's prime-ministerial campaign, to be tried for fiscal crimes, influence peddling and bribery.
According to tax inspectors, Fabra and his ex-wife, María Amparo Fernández, defrauded 1.5 million euros over five years. The PP provincial chief also faces charges lodged by local businessman Vicente Vilar, who told authorities that Fabra was paid "millions of euros for political favors."
Anti-corruption prosecutors are seeking a 15-year jail term for Fabra, while the people's prosecutor, representing the Consumers' Union, wants a sentence of 20 years and nine months.
