The prosecutor has asked for significant custodial sentences for a number of alleged key players in the so called “caso Brugal”, including the former president of the Alicante government, José Joaquín Ripoll, and former mayor of Orihuela, Mónica Lorente, both from the Partido Popular.
During the opening of the trial relating to the rezoning of areas across the Vega Baja, those facing prison are accused of the crimes of insider trading, influence peddling, fraud, breach of trust and prohibited negotiations.
The politicians were in positions of power when the alleged crimes took place, and the case also includes some well-known business people, including Angel Fenoll, already found guilty in a previous case, and Enrique Ortiz.
The prosecutor gave evidence as to how Fennoll learned about the plans for assigning land for waste use in 2007, “even before being made public”.
If found guilty, Ripoll is facing 16 years in prison and disqualification from public office for 41 years, Lorente is facing a 4-year spell inside and disqualification for 24 years.