The National Police registers the CNIO after the complaint alleging embezzlement of millions of cancer funds

The keys

new
Generated with AI

The National Police raided the CNIO and seized computer equipment and documentation as part of an investigation into allegations of embezzlement.

The anti-corruption prosecutor’s office is investigating the complaint of a former operations director of the CNIO, who reports possible embezzlement of up to 25 million euros through manipulated public contracts over 18 years.

The complaint involves former senior officials, including former director Juan Arroyo, and led to the elimination of several administrative positions within the center.

The Court of Auditors will carry out an audit of the management of the CNIO in the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, while the center’s researchers are demanding transparency and defending their scientific work.

This Monday, the National Police carried out an action in the facilities of the National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), where they requisitioned computer equipment “all morning” and examined various documents.

The agents entered the headquarters of the organization, attached to the Ministry of Science and Technology, early in the morning. When registering They seized several computers and examined other files and papers related to the center’s activity.as EL ESPAÑOL was able to confirm.

Internal sources told the newspaper that the agents took away the documentation and computers “in a cart” and spoke with purchasing staff and the director, José Manuel Bernabé.

This police action is part of the investigation opened by the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office following a complaint filed by the former director of operations at the CNIO until last September.

The complainant, also supported by the head of Regulatory Compliance, claims that an alleged network made up of former senior officials – focusing on the director who led the institution for 23 years, Juan Arroyo— allegedly embezzled up to 25 million euros over a period of 18 years through the manipulation of public markets.

Even though the complaint was filed in June, It was only at the end of November that the anti-corruption prosecution decided to open an investigation..

Scientists demonstrate at the door of the CNIO this Wednesday.

He did so shortly after the complaint came to light. Previously, the complainant had written to number 2 of Diane Morant at the Ministry of Sciences, Juan Cruz Cigudosainforming you of irregularities.

Cigudosa instead reported the letter received to Eva Ortega, Secretary of State for Research and member of the board of directors of the CNIO, its governing body.

However, the council met several times without its members being informed of the complaint.

After the scandal was revealed, Ciencia urgently called a meeting of the board of directors during which it was decided to eliminate three positions in the center’s management chart.

These are the deputy directorate of economic affairs, occupied by Juan Arroyo after being dismissed as director last January, and two other positions occupied by trusted people.

At the same meeting, the board of directors was informed that the current manager, José Manuel Bernabéhad been collecting information on the administration of the center since September, when he took office, and handed the documentation over to the Madrid Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Furthermore, the Court of Auditors was commissioned to audit the management of the CNIO during the years 2022, 2023 and 2024.

The center’s researchers, for their part, try to ensure that management turbulence does not affect scientific activity.

After the elimination of administrative positions, they gathered at the gates of the center to demand transparency and assert their commitment to research and the fight against cancer.