Two Local Police officers plead guilty to embezzling €83,000 collected from fines
Two Local Police officers from Buenavista have accepted two-year prison sentences after admitting to embezzling €83,000 in fines that had been paid in cash, mostly by tourists, over several years.
The verdict, issued earlier today, Tuesday, by the Tenerife Provincial Court, followed an agreement between the defendants and the Prosecutor’s Office.
Along with the prison sentences, both officers have been banned from holding public office for four years and required to repay the full amount to the Buenavista Council.
However, the court ruled that the prison sentences will be suspended for three years, provided that neither officer commits another crime during that period.
The case, part of the Guardia Civil’s “Operation Martyr,” began late last year after suspicions arose that fines collected in cash were being pocketed instead of processed through official channels.
Details of the Misappropriation
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the chief officer prepared false reports totalling more than €70,000, of which he personally kept around €54,000. The second officer was found to have lodged complaints amounting to about €46,000, misappropriating approximately €29,000 for his own benefit.
The misused funds came primarily from traffic fines paid directly to the officers, bypassing the official administrative process. The recovered money has now been deposited in court and will be transferred to the Town Council’s accounts, completing the restitution process.
Third Officer Cleared of Involvement
A third officer who had been under investigation was formally cleared of any wrongdoing at a preliminary hearing on 22nd October, after it was proven that he had no involvement in the misappropriation scheme.
The Tenerife Provincial Court confirmed the settlement, meaning no jury trial was necessary.
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