Laurence Dollimore
JUNTA leader Susana Diaz has come under attack after it emerged millions of euros was squandered on strip clubs and golfing for executives as recently as seven years ago.
The so-called FAFFE quango (the Andalucian Fund for Training and Employment), spent more than €3.1 million on hotels and entertainment between 2009 and 2011.
The money, which went through various travel agents and golf clubs, was spent by political leaders to curry favour with contacts and friends.
According to the Guardia Civil, the public-funded body, set up by the PSOE-led Junta, was meant to be spent on battling unemployment.
However, much of the money was squandered on luxurious trips, including €20,000 at the 18-hole La Cañada Golf Club, in upmarket Sotogrande.
It also spent €4,229 at the Club de Campo de Granada, another exclusive resort.
Former employment minister Fernando Villen meanwhile spent thousands on dining out in fancy restaurants, as well as nights at the Don Angelo ‘exotic’ strip club in Sevilla.
Thousands of euros from the slush fund were also made available to companies owned by relatives of Junta leaders.
On many occasions they overcharged for jobs and business trips unrelated to their line of work
One plumbing company, Inmohel, owned by the brother-in-law of the FAFFE director charged the fund €700,000 in one year for catering, courier services and waste collection.
The secretary general of the PP in Andalucia, Loles Lopez, insists that Junta boss Susana Díaz ‘can no longer remain silent’, as she was very much involved in the Junta during this time.
“The longer she is silent, the worse it will become,” she said.
Lopez said that the FAFFE scandal ‘is an example of the lack of respect the PSOE in Andalucia has for justice, institutions and Andalucians.”
She added: “They used money meant for Andalucians on parties, fairs and strip clubs.”
She went on to blast the ‘excuses’ of Diaz, who when commenting on previous scandals like ERE said ‘they happened ten years ago.’
“No one is buying that,” added Lopez, “It is clear that Susana Díaz has a lot to hide and that’s why she does not want to talk… every day she keeps her silence it makes us more suspicious.”
