Catalonia Anti-Fraud Office Probes La Seu d'Urgell Technician Hiring After Complaint

The Anti-Fraud Office of Catalonia (OAC) is investigating a selection process launched by La Seu d'Urgell town council to fill a technician position for the Educational Environment Plan, following an anonymous complaint.

ERC municipal spokesperson Francesc Viaplana defended the process, stating it had followed all required steps. He downplayed the matter as stemming from an anonymous tip and emphasised that the council would remain attentive to the OAC's findings. Viaplana dismissed suggestions of irregularities, noting that the mayor, Joan Barrera, had already committed to providing all requested documentation. He avoided speculating on potential political consequences, given that the call passed through the local government's executive board.

CUP representative Núria Valls echoed similar confidence in the council's technical staff, saying the opposition trusted they had handled the selection properly without needing to scrutinise every detail. The CUP was unaware the case had reached the OAC until recent reports and plans to await its conclusions. Valls stressed the selection panel's key role, which included a public administration school official alongside local staff, making it challenging for the executive board to spot any issues. She noted no other political groups appeared aware of the probe, adding that the CUP held no voting rights in the process and did not oversee selections to avoid politicising them. Participants, she said, retain the right to request panel records and file complaints.

Junts per la Seu spokesperson Jordi Fàbrega expressed caution, confirming his group had no prior knowledge but had immediately requested full details from the mayor and administration to review and assess the situation.