Only 16% of funds defrauded under Matas have been recovered

Former president of the Balearics, Jaume Matas. | Archive

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma08/05/2017 00:00

The Balearic government has so far recovered 1.1 million euros of funds related to corruption cases that arose from the time that Jaume Matas was president. Silvia Tur, the Gent per Formentera member of parliament, had asked what the status of these funds was. The 1.1 million euros represent only a sixth of the 6.5 million that court cases have identified as having been fraudulently diverted and that must be repaid.

Tur did not want details of funds defrauded by the now defunct Unió Mallorquina during the time of the Francesc Antich PSOE-led government from 2007, so these are not included in the 6.5 million.

The money which has been returned comes from four cases - "Agencia Balear de Noticias", "Scala", "Ibatur" and "Turisme Jove". Outstanding, therefore, are "Palma Arena" and "Nóos". These two should net 3.9 million euros between them. The sentence in the Nóos trial established that 2.6 million euros are owed.

Tur also wanted to know if Matas still has any type of privilege or holds any title (as might be the case under protocol). The minister for the presidency, Pilar Costa, has told her that he does not. All honours were stripped when the Supreme Court confirmed the sentence for the trafficking of influence. His portrait was also removed from the gallery of former presidents in the government's headquarters, the Consolat de Mar.