'Saqueo' trial
The 'Saqueo' trial continues today in Madrid
07.11.08 - 13:24 -
PRESS ATTENTION. Former mayor of Marbella, Julián Muñoz (R) arrives at court in Madrid this morning (Friday). EFE / Víctor Leren
Juan Antonio Roca and the former lawyer to Jesús Gil y Gil, José Luis Sierra, were asked for their version of events on Thursday in the 'Saqueo' trial in Madrid. As expected both said they did not know how 36 million euros found their way from the Marbella municipal coffers into the accounts of private firms between 1991 and 1995. Both put the blame on the late Jesús Gil y Gil who was mayor of Marbella at the time. Roca said that he never used the four private firms, bought in his mother’s name, that issued the Town Hall with false invoices in order to transfer the funds. He implied that someone at the Town Hall could have made improper use of the companies and later added that the only person who knew that the firms existed was Jesús Gil.
José Luis Sierra pointed out that Gil gave the orders and his then right hand man, José Luis Jiménez, also deceased, carried them out. "Nobody breathed in the Town Hall without express permission from Gil and nobody dared move a single cent without his authorisation, and if they did, the next day they were looking for another job", explained Sierra.
This morning (Friday) former mayor Julián Muñoz is declaring as a witness. The trial continues until November 21st and the accused could face between eight and ten years in prison.
