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FORMER mayor of Santa Pola, Miguel Zaragoza, has been jailed for six and a half years for allowing a private health clinic to operate rent-free from a council-owned building, while hiring his sister under questionable circumstances. Zaragoza, who led the town under the Partido Popular from 2003 to 2015, was convicted alongside former councillor Jorge Perello for fraud, bribery, and administrative misconduct. Two doctors who ran Clinica Gran Alacant SL also received identical sentences. The court found that Zaragoza and Perello enabled the clinic to function without paying rent or utility bills and used their positions to ensure jobs went to politically aligned individuals, including Zaragoza’s sister Pilar, who was paid a full salary despite ceasing to work. Pilar, who is also Perello’s partner, received two years and three months for her role in the scheme. Three other councillors were acquitted. The clinic has been banned from receiving public subsidies for four years and the court ordered a €109,370 compensation payment to the Santa Pola City Council, with €13,022 already repaid. All parties have the right to appeal.
JAILED: Miguel Zaragoza
Vol. 6 Issue 156
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Jávea · Moraira-Benitachell
May 22nd - June 4th 2025
FAKE POWER OF ATTORNEY STOLE MY HOME
Pregnant expat claims conmen used fake certificate to hoodwink authorities
A PREGNANT expat fears losing her baby after she discovered fraudsters had stolen her dream home with fake legal certificates. The Scandinavian environmental scientist is now questioning how conmen could somehow create a bogus power of attorney (POA) to acquire the apartment in Spain. The 32-year-old is now ‘terrified’ of leaving her flat, after someone started to send threatening notes, ordering her out. “There was no verification, no phone call, no warning. We were completely blindsided,” she told the Olive Press, this week. “How can the Spanish legal system allow this to happen?” Alarmingly, a leading property lawyer, Diego Echavarria said it was ‘not uncommon’. “It’s in fact the third example I’ve heard of in a year,” he said. Asking not to be named for legal reasons, the Scandinavian buyer had moved to Mija on the Costa del Sol in search of
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tranquility after buying the 80m2 property worth €320,000 in April last year. But what was meant to be a peaceful haven in the sun has turned into a living nightmare. “It was my dream home with the most breathtaking sea view,” she continued, her voice clearly shaking. “I used to sit on the terrace in the evening thinking, ‘this is where I’ll grow old’. Then, in September, everything changed, when her house was broken into. She said the burglars stole golf clubs, branded perfumes, bags and keys to her car, and they installed two high security locks on her front door. She also believes they stole her identity documents, which were in easily accessible and named cartons in the apartment. And then began a bizarre and terrifying journey, leading finally to Colombia - where, it emerged, a forged power of attorney certifi-
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cate was created in her name. The house sale was eventually completed back in Spain in December, by a notary in Sevilla. “Apparently, I gave someone the legal right to sell my home,” she continued. “But I never actually signed anything. I’ve never even been to Colombia,” she said. “And yet, here I am, being told that my house belongs to a stranger.”
Fraud
Sara only discovered the fraud this month when property tax agency, the Catastro Hacienda, informed her the house was now registered under someone else’s name. “I obviously thought it must be a mistake. But when I checked the registry, I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me. My name is gone.” Even more disturbing was how easily the fraud went through. Since hiring a lawyer to fight the fraudulent transfer, things have taken a darker turn. She has received handwritten, threatening notes from someone TOLDOS / AWNINGS claiming to be the new ‘owner’ of the apartment. They demanded she contact them via WhatsApp or face ‘viEnjoy the best designs and olent consequences’. protection for your home “We’re being treated with high quality materials like criminals in our • Making own home - like squat• Installation ters,” she said. • Repairs “I’m scared to open the door and to even • Bioclimatic Pergola walk outside in case • Arm Awnings they are watching or • Palillero Awnings
stalking us. We don’t know who’s behind this or what they’re capable of. Every night, I sleep with one eye open.” To make matters more complicated she is 23 weeks pregnant and was hospitalised this week with fears of a premature birth caused by the stress. She now believes she is battling to save both her baby and her home. “Spain was supposed to be our safe haven. But it feels like a jungle, where the strong prey on the unsuspecting,” she said. “There’s a loophole in the system big enough for criminals to walk right through - with your home in their hands.” Despite the ongoing legal battle, which she’s certain she will win, she insists she will sell up and return home, once it’s over. “I don’t feel safe here anymore. It doesn’t feel like home. It feels like betrayal.”
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