Conservatory directors modify statements in trial over position tailored to Sánchez's brother
The heads of the musical centres in Badajoz have softened their testimony in the oral hearing regarding the alleged post designed for the family member of the president.
Conservatory directors modify statements in trial over position tailored to Sánchez's brother
The Provincial Court of Badajoz has hosted the first day of the trial judging the alleged creation of a public post adapted to the circumstances of a direct family member of the head of the central government. The top executives of the two music training centres in the capital of Badajoz have noticeably altered the account they provided during the preliminary phase of the proceedings.
Yolanda Sánchez, head of the 'Juan Vázquez' Superior Conservatory, appeared in April before magistrate Beatriz Biedma and explained that her colleague Evaristo Valentí had confided that the position of Coordinator of Musical Activities had been conceived for a predetermined candidate. She also recalled having received an electronic communication titled "the dear little brother" coinciding with the release of the job notices.
At the present hearing, the director has downplayed these matters. Regarding the message, she stated that she does not pay attention to the titles of communications she receives. With respect to the incorporation of the Madrid-based musician, her discourse has shifted ostensibly: where she previously described the situation as "quite delicate", she now maintains that the professional's collaboration "worked out very well for us, everything helps".
For his part, Valentí corroborated that he used the term "the dear little brother" in a note sent to his colleague on 19 May 2017, alleging that there were "rumours" about the interested party's participation in the competition. He attributed the reference to an informal remark and justified the striking heading because it was more eye-catching.
Both witnesses exhibited a more definitive and rehearsed posture than in their previous summonses, with calculated replies and recurrent use of memory loss when defence lawyers pressed them on their answers. The representative of the Public Prosecutor's Office, Begoña García Boró, attempted to have the director clarify the content of a communication from 13 October 2016 in which the matter was described as "delicate" and specific preparation was requested, but the witness claimed to have no knowledge of the document.
The director admitted that there were comments about the possible appointment of the ruler's family member, although she defended that the selection was carried out in accordance with the regulations, despite acknowledging that she did not participate in any stage of the process. She also denied having deleted the 127 corporate notes that the UCO located as missing, arguing that it made no sense to do so when she maintains her personal account.
Regarding the employment relationship with the defendant, Yolanda Sánchez nuanced her earlier version—where she stated there was limited contact with him—now asserting that they held meetings weekly or monthly, without specifying the exact frequency. She rejected that he held a management position and described him as just another colleague on the team.
Source: El Mundo
Source: El Mundo