The Catalan Anti-Corruption Office (OAC) is investigating a case of possible misappropriation of public funds at centres for underage migrants. The estimated damage amounts to €4.7 million, according to the Spanish outlet El Mundo.
The OAC has launched an audit of the former General Directorate for Children and Adolescents (DGAIA), which has since been reorganised. Under suspicion are contracts with private organisations that received up to €4,500 per month for each place at the underage migrant centres.
The key element of the scheme is that these places were systematically left vacant despite regular payments being made. Funds were allocated based on falsified occupancy reports, resulting in multi-million-euro losses for the Catalan budget.
DGAIA had previously faced criticism over issues related to the protection of migrants’ rights, including controversial age-assessment tests. The OAC investigation is focused on scrutinising financial documents, the roles of officials, and those of the contracting parties.
If the facts are confirmed, the case could lead to criminal charges of corruption and embezzlement. The Catalan authorities have already tightened oversight of such programmes amid growing migration pressure.