SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 1st March (EUROPA PRESS) –
Sandra Rodríguez, the former general director of Child and Family Protection in the Government of the Canary Islands, has stepped down from her role for “personal reasons” on the same day that she was disqualified for nine years for committing prevarication. It has been revealed that she appointed her partner as a lifeguard at the Costa Martiánez Complex in Puerto de la Cruz without opening up the position for public competition. Her partner was later promoted to the role of coordinator indefinitely.
According to the recent ruling from the Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Rodríguez, who was responsible for Economic Management, Sociocultural Management, and New Technologies, facilitated the hiring of her partner through the public company Pamarsa in December 2015. Just three months later, she promoted him without any public announcement or evaluation of other potential candidates.
The court’s ruling highlights that Rodríguez used her influence within the public company to carry out these appointments without following proper procedures or ensuring transparency. The contracts were approved by the mayor, Lope Afonso, who was unaware of the irregularities and acted on the instruction of Rodríguez.
While the constitutional principles of equal access to public employment are not strictly applied to public companies, the judge emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair competition and transparency in recruitment processes.
The court condemns Rodríguez’s actions as a blatant misuse of power to benefit her partner, characterizing it as a clear case of favouritism.
In response to the verdict, which imposes a nine-year ban on holding public positions for Rodríguez, an appeal can be made to the Civil and Criminal Chamber of the TSJC.
