Dozens convicted as Costa fraud trial ends with 53 convicted

One of the largest corruption scandals in Spain's recent history has come to a conclusion, nearly eight years after it first came to light, with the conviction of 53 people for property fraud and bribery in Marbella.

Juan Antonio Roca, the former town planning chief and the mastermind behind the far-reaching corruption scandal that rocked the Costa del Sol resort was sentenced to 11 years in jail and fined Ђ240 million (Ј200 million) after being found guilty on charges of money laundering, bribery, fraud and other offences.

He was blamed for running a network suspected of collecting Ђ2.4 billion of laundered money for those involved, much of which has yet to be traced.

Two former mayors of Marbella, Juliбn Muсoz and Marisol Yagьe, were also handed prison sentences of two years and seven years respectively, and a ban from holding public office as well as fines of more than Ђ2 million.

The court spoke of the "absolute dereliction of duties by the councillors put on trial, who bowed to the shady dealings of Mr Roca," and concluded that building permits had been granted in exchange for bribes authorised in council meetings by councillors who received envelopes of cash. telegraph