Two Spanish mayors resign over widening corruption scandal
Madrid - A corruption scandal affecting Spain's main opposition conservative People's Party (PP) deepened Friday as two mayors resigned over the allegations.
Investigating judge Baltasar Garzon had previously presented new charges against PP politicians including Valencia regional Prime Minister Francisco Camps.
PP representatives governing regions or municipalities are suspected of accepting millions of euros in bribes from companies in exchange for contracts and illegal building permits.
The mayors of Pozuelo de Alarcon and Arganda del Rey, both of which are located in the Madrid region, announced their resignations on Friday. A local councillor in the southern town of Estepona was also expected to step down.
A total of 43 people, including entrepreneurs and politicians, have now been named suspects in the investigation into bribery, influence-peddling, money-laundering, tax evasion and possible illegal funding of the PP.
Garzon on Thursday transferred his investigation partly to regional courts in Madrid and Valencia. (dpa)
