The investigating judge in Palma, Antoni Garcías, has opened an investigation into the director general of the Regional Health Service of the Balearic Islands, Javier Ureña, in response to a complaint filed by the PSIB-PSOE political party. The complaint alleges embezzlement, prevarication, and influence peddling in the handling of a claim for 2.6 million euros against the company Soluciones de Gestión for a batch of defective masks. The PSIB-PSOE accuses the Balearic Islands government of allowing the claim to expire without legal justification. The judge has forwarded the complaint to the Balearic Islands Prosecutor’s Office and the European Union Prosecutor’s Office to determine if further investigation is warranted.
During the early months of the pandemic, the Balearic Islands government, led by socialist Francina Armengol, awarded a contract to Soluciones de Gestión for the purchase of 1.4 million masks for 3.7 million euros. The company gained notoriety when an investigation by the National Court revealed alleged kickbacks in mask purchases, and its connection to Koldo García, an associate of former minister José Luis Ábalos. Subsequent testing by the Ministry of Labor in Seville found that the masks purchased from Soluciones de Gestión were of inferior quality, prompting their removal from distribution. Despite this, the Balearic Islands government did not begin the claim process until three years later.
The late initiation of the claim, as well as the handover of the contract to Soluciones de Gestión, led to accusations against Armengol and calls for her resignation. The subsequent government led by Marga Prohens attempted to resume the claim process but allowed it to expire in January 2024 without resolution. Ureña then launched a procedure to annul the contract, claiming that it had been awarded without meeting the required standards of solvency and expertise. However, these requirements were not mandatory due to the emergency situation at the time of the contract award.
The PSIB-PSOE alleges that Ureña allowed the claim to expire without proper legal justification or the opinion of the Balearic Islands’ legal department. Subsequently, the Balearic Islands Health Service initiated a review of the 2020 contract with the aim of declaring it null and void due to the lack of economic and technical solvency on the part of the contractor. The case has garnered national attention and raised questions about the handling of public contracts, procurement procedures, and the responsibility of government officials in ensuring transparency and accountability. The outcome of the investigation will determine the legal consequences for Ureña and others involved in the case.
In conclusion, the complaint filed by the PSIB-PSOE against Javier Ureña and Soluciones de Gestión for alleged embezzlement, prevarication, and influence peddling has triggered a legal investigation by the court. The case highlights concerns about the handling of public contracts and the procurement process in the Balearic Islands government. The decision to allow the claim for defective masks to expire without proper legal justification has raised questions about accountability and transparency in government operations. The outcome of the investigation will determine the legal consequences for the parties involved and may have broader implications for public procurement practices in the region and beyond.
