Judicial Investigation Underway
Social Security, after receiving an audit from Deloitte, has sent the report to the prosecutor’s office, which has detected signs of crime and has transferred the case to the Batllia, a court specialized in Public Service matters.
The Batllia has decreed the secrecy of the summary for three months, the maximum period allowed in preliminary proceedings.
The judicial police, with the support of the economic crimes unit and technological crimes officials, have already carried out an inspection at the Social Security headquarters, collecting documentation and evidence relevant to the investigation.
Unfair Administration of Public Assets
The Batllia investigates a possible unfair administration of public assets, according to article 389 of the Penal Code, which punishes authorities or officials who abuse their powers for their own benefit or that of third parties, causing damage to the public entity.
Paralysis of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry
The beginning of the judicial investigation has paralyzed the commission of inquiry of the General Council, which had planned to listen to technicians and former directors of the Social Security on May 8.
Article 49 c) of the Regulations of the General Council establishes that the commission of inquiry cannot demand the presence of people who are subject to a jurisdictional procedure related to the object of the investigation.
Social Security has informed the parliamentary committee of the ongoing judicial investigation, which has led to the stoppage of work.
Possible Criminal Component
The investigation focuses on determining whether the behavior of Social Security, especially since 2016, has had a criminal component.
The alleged hole in the last three years amounts to more than 1 million euros, while the total figure of improper payments since 1971 could exceed 8.5 million euros.
