Top News
Spain prosecutor seeks trial for politician who brought F1 races to Valencia
Valencia, June 8 (IANS) The office of Spain’s anti-corruption prosecutor said Friday it had decided to instruct legal proceedings against a former president of the eastern region of Valencia over alleged offences including misappropriation of public funds linked to the hosting of Formula One races in the Mediterranean port city.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor said in its findings that Francisco Camps, who led Valencia’s regional administration from 2003-2011, had held numerous meetings with then F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and personally decided to hold the races despite evidence they would be a drain on public funds, reports Efe.
“All this was done in the knowledge that the event was economically unfeasible and also committing the region’s public funds while knowingly not complying with the mandatory administrative procedures,” the Prosecutor’s statement said.
F1 Grand Prix races were held on a street circuit in Valencia for five years, from 2008-2012.
According to the prosecutor’s findings, Camps, who belonged to the conservative Popular Party, reached an agreement to host the races while “thinking they may offer him an electoral advantage,” particularly ahead of regional elections held in May 2007.
The prosecutor’s statement, which EFE had access to, said “it is evident” that Camps, while acting as regional president, reached an agreement with Ecclestone in April 2006 to turn Valencia into an F1 venue “while acting beyond his administrative remit” and without having the appropriate authority “as a contracting body.”
Camps then asked José Luis Olivas, the president of regional bank Bancaja, to organise the event through a specially-created company, “guaranteeing that the regional government would take responsibility for the losses, thus committing public funds without proper regard for the correct administrative procedures.”
According to the statement, Ecclestone informed Camps in January 2007 that the fee that had to be paid would be $26 million.
After the 2008 GP, it became clear to those contracted to organise the races, a company called Valmor, that the events were “economically unfeasible and generated huge losses.”
However, Camps said then that his government, through a public company called Thematic Projects, would continue to pay the annual fee of $26 million and continue the races.
This decision was passed by Camp’s administration on July 31, 2009, the prosecutor said.
–IANS
tri/vm
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
