Former Ourense Mayor Cleared of Charges in “Operation Pokémon” After 13-Year Investigation
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A lengthy legal battle stemming from the “Operation Pokémon” investigation has concluded with the dismissal of all charges against former Mayor of Ourense, Francisco Rodríguez, a decision hailed by the Galician Socialist Party (PSdeG) as ending “13 years of injustice.” The ruling, issued by the Investigation Section of the Court of Instance of Ourense, found a complete lack of evidence to support allegations of corruption.
The case centered around accusations that Rodríguez received financial incentives in exchange for favorable treatment towards the Vendex company. The PSdeG released a statement on Tuesday expressing its “full support” for the former councilor and acknowledging the meaningful toll the investigation took on his personal and professional life.
Years of Scrutiny Yield No Evidence
The investigation,which spanned over a decade,focused on the alleged exchange of “different amounts of money in exchange for favors” that would benefit Vendex. However, the court’s resolution explicitly states that “there is no evidence” to substantiate these claims. This finding brings an end to a period of intense scrutiny for Rodríguez and others involved.
“Today is a day to demand justice and dignity,” a spokesperson for the PSdeG stated. “13 long years and a lot of pain have passed. No person should see their honor, their personal life and their public career marked for so long without foundation.” The party emphasized the profound human and professional consequences of the prolonged legal process.
Judge Cites Lack of Corroboration
The judge presiding over the case underscored the insufficiency of the evidence presented. The order specifically noted that accusations relied heavily on statements made by two co-investigated individuals, but these statements were not supported by any “objective evidence.”
Moreover, the investigation revealed that all three individuals under scrutiny denied receiving any funds in exchange for preferential treatment. Attempts to link trips taken by co-investigated parties to the delivery of money were also dismissed, as investigators found no supporting evidence.
Vendex Documentation Fails to Prove Wrongdoing
While documentation originating from Vendex was analyzed as part of the investigation,the court persistent that it did not demonstrate any actual delivery of funds to Ourense authorities or any preferential treatment granted to the company. Despite this conclusive finding, the ruling does allow for the possibility of an appeal to the Provincial Court.
The dismissal of this case marks a significant advancement in the “operation pokémon” saga, highlighting the importance of concrete evidence in legal proceedings and the potential for lengthy investigations to inflict ample damage even in the absence of wrongdoing.
Why: Former Mayor Francisco rodríguez was accused of receiving financial incentives from Vendex in exchange for favorable treatment.
Who: Francisco Rodríguez, former Mayor of Ourense, was the central figure. The Galician Socialist Party (PSdeG) and vendex were also involved.
what: All charges against rodríguez were dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
How did it end: The Investigation Section of the Court of Instance of Ourense ruled in favor of Rodríguez after a 13-year investigation, citing a lack of corroborating evidence for the accusations. An appeal to the Provincial Court is possible.
