Three PP-led towns in Huelva face criminal probes over alleged rigging of bull-festivals contracts

Three municipalities in Huelva province—Beas, Palos de la Frontera and Cortegana—are under criminal investigation after Emilivia Espectáculos S.L. filed complaints alleging that public contracts for bull-fighting festivities were improperly steered toward particular companies. Preliminary inquiries were opened by the courts of Aracena, Moguer and Huelva between February and April, and have called the mayors María del Mar Martín Florido (Cortegana) and Milagros Romero Artero (Palos de la Frontera) to testify, while José Leñero Bardallo (Beas) is listed as a defendant.

The probes examine possible administrative prevarication in Beas and Cortegana and a potential misappropriation case in Cortegana, all linked to claims that tender specifications were designed “a medida” to favor certain firms. These claims rely on earlier decisions by the Tribunal Administrativo de Recursos Contractuales de la Junta de Andalucía, which nullified several tender processes for irregularities. To date, only the Cortegana officials have given statements; the remaining summons await scheduling. The accused officials have either declined to comment or described the criminal complaint as unfounded.