Andorran Prosecutors Appeal Dismissal of CASS Disability Pension Probe

Andorran public prosecutors have appealed the Batllia's dismissal of the criminal probe into irregular disability pension payments by the Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social (CASS), prompting the General Council's inquiry commission to suspend proceedings once more.

The commission met briefly on Monday—lasting just minutes after learning of the prosecutors' recourse to the Tribunal de Corts—to discuss resuming work following the Batllia's closure weeks earlier. Members agreed to pause until the court rules on whether to revive the investigation, which could include fresh witness statements, documents, or audits of CASS oversight systems.

CASS identified the overpayments in early 2024, initially pegging the total at €1.5 million but facing claims from opposition leader Cerni Escalé of Concòrdia of up to €9 million. Another estimate put the figure at €6 million, affecting 213 beneficiaries over decades, possibly since the 1970s. The irregularities mainly stemmed from unadjusted partial disability pensions for working recipients, due to insufficient technical and human resources for routine checks. CASS insists it provided all requested materials, highlighted its constraints, and has since introduced preventive measures.

The Batllia had ruled out criminal liability, attributing the lapses to resource shortages. Prosecutors disagree, seeking further scrutiny for potential penal responsibility.

Most parties back the halt to respect judicial independence. Democrats' Jordi Jordana noted that prosecutors, familiar with the file, must see merit in pursuing it. Social democrats view the appeal positively but stress political accountability could follow if no crimes are found. PS and Concòrdia accept the suspension yet push for parliamentary action afterward. Escalé called the move proof the matter "is not closed," demanding quick Tribunal de Corts decisions and clarity on who knew of the excess payments, why intervention lagged, and any political motives in CASS decisions. He warned that "transparency cannot be stalled by a judicial process that could drag on for months."

The meeting did name social democrat Susanna Vela as the new commission chair, succeeding Judith Casal, who resigned last summer for health reasons. The court's decision will determine the probe's future and the commission's next steps, against ongoing public concerns over social benefit controls.