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CostaBlancaPeople 30th January - 5th February 2024
30TH JANUARY - 5TH FEBRUARY 2024 - EDITION 1028
Tel: 607 031 113 | claire@costablancapeople.com | costablancapeople.com
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Property manager Jailed for embezzlement of community funds in Torrevieja A 79-year-old property manager, named as Ramón LV, has begun serving a one-year-and-six-month prison sentence, totalling 545 days, for unfair administration. The conviction stems from a case brought by a Torrevieja
community of owners who accused him of diverting their money into his personal assets. Ramón LV, a known figure in the area involved in various real estate and workshop businesses, had initially believed he could evade
the consequences of his actions. The verdict, delivered by Criminal Court 2 of Torrevieja, saw the septuagenarian convicted of unfair administration after the community members successfully demonstrated that their funds had been misappropriated. Ramón LV, however, managed to avoid immediate imprisonment for over two years. In November 2022, the court granted a reprieve by revoking the custodial sentence, provided he fulfilled his civil responsibility by reimbursing the community the sum of 12,784
euros that had gone missing under his administration. The community, which had initially entrusted him with managing their finances and expenses, took legal action when they discovered the discrepancies between 2012 and 2015. Despite the court’s leniency, Ramón LV failed to meet his commitment to repay the community. In October of the following year, the court, noting his lack of effort to fulfil the financial obligation, rejected his final appeal and reinstated the original custodial sentence. The court emphasised his
reluctance, passivity, and disregard for the obligations outlined in the sentence. The community’s ordeal began when they realized that the funds allocated for the management and expenses of the community were not being used for their intended purposes. Ramón LV assured them that there was no cause for concern, claiming a healthy bank balance of 16,000 to 18,000 euros. However, suspicions arose, leading to the discovery that the account was actually in the red. Legal Action In an unusual move, the community decided to take legal action against the property administrator. Typically, such disputes are resolved through administrative means, avoiding the lengthy and costly legal process. The court’s ruling emphasised that Ramón LV could not justify the “property provisions” made in the account, as they were not intended for the community’s purposes. This led to an increase in the administrator’s personal assets, exposing his illicit profit. Despite having the opportunity to present a defence, Ramón LV chose not to testify and did not refute the evidence during the trial. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of community members knowing their rights and standing up against potential wrongdoing, even when faced with the complexities and delays inherent in the Spanish justice system.