Investigating Allegations Against Enrique Cerdeña, Mayor of Betancuria

Enrique Cerdeña, the mayor of Betancuria and a member of the Unidos por Betancuria party, has recently found himself at the center of a legal controversy. On Thursday, he appeared in court to deny allegations of administrative prevarication, misappropriation of public funds, and workplace harassment following a complaint from the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Context of the Allegations

Cerdeña testified before the Third Instruction Judge of Puerto del Rosario after being summoned as a suspect in response to a complaint filed by prosecutor Tomás Fernández in 2025. This inquiry was triggered when a municipal employee raised concerns about various alleged irregularities at the Betancuria City Council.

The complainant, who has been serving as the legal advisor and head of Human Resources at the City Council since 2012, has also worked intermittently as a municipal secretary and auditor. Her multifaceted role has put her in a position to identify potential misconduct.

Key Irregularities Reported

One of the primary issues highlighted in the investigation involves a contract concerning the restoration of walls and pavement, amounting to €419,310. This contract was awarded through a negotiated procedure without public announcement since the initial open call failed; the chosen contractor did not submit the necessary documentation in a timely manner.

Despite this, the contract was eventually awarded to the same company, raising questions about the decision-making process. Notably, the contracting authority was erroneously designated as the Governing Board instead of the municipal plenary, which is mandated by law.

Financial Mismanagement Claims

According to the allegations made by the prosecutor, Cerdeña sanctioned a payment of €53,000 for a certification related to this contract, presenting it as a minor contract. However, due to the amount exceeding the legal threshold for such contracts, this action has been labeled as a serious oversight.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office argues that “the payment does not correspond to a minor contract due to the nature of the negotiated procedure,” emphasizing that the full City Council should have been involved in the adjudication process.

Additional Charges

In addition to the contract irregularities, the prosecutor has cited two more alleged cases of ongoing administrative prevarication. The focus is on Cerdeña’s dealings with two external companies for legal advisory services within the same year, which were awarded through minor contracts. The contention arises due to the existence of a qualified municipal employee already capable of performing these tasks.

The prosecutor points out that the mayor did not adequately justify the need for external services, which represents a potential disruption to municipal operations.

Workplace Harassment Allegations

The investigation also outlines a pattern of behavior that could be construed as workplace harassment. The report states that the titular employee has been repeatedly excluded from the City Council’s contracting committees. Instead, an interim employee was placed in her position, restricting her access to essential documents and processes necessary for her role.

This situation has escalated to the point of triggering allegations of harassment, asserting that the mayor’s actions have undermined the employee’s ability to work effectively within her position.

Legal Representation

Upon leaving the courthouse, Mayor Cerdeña refrained from speaking to the media, allowing his attorney, Raúl Miranda, to address the allegations instead. Miranda asserted that both Cerdeña and the city secretary vehemently deny all accusations against them.

The attorney has emphasized their perspective that “no crime has been committed” regarding the reported events, arguing that what exists is a misinterpretation of the law rather than any actual legal violations.

Miranda expressed confidence that the statements made during the investigation phase would resolve the issue, dismissing claims of workplace harassment and stating that a relevant protocol was initiated, although it has not been completed.

Moving Forward

This ongoing controversy around Enrique Cerdeña opens up a broader conversation about accountability in local government, the intricacies of municipal contracting, and the implications of workplace dynamics within public service. As the legal proceedings progress, the outcomes will significantly impact not only Cerdeña’s political future but also public trust in local governance in Betancuria.