The head of the board of trustees of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain’s most popular tourist destination, was arrested in connection to a money-laundering and embezzlement investigation. Three employees and a local businessman were also implicated in the case.

According to prosecutors at the Andalusian financial crimes unit, the allegations relate to a contract awarded to an audio-guide manufacturer.

Director Maria del Mar Villafranca has maintained her innocence
Photo: Pilararanda

According to El País the head of the board María del Mar Villafranca; deputy and secretary general Victoria Chamorro; accountant José Visedo and a representative from the institution’s government controllers office were held by police for questioning and later released.

The authorities became suspicious when the audio-guide manufacturer Stendal’s 2007 contract was renewed in 2011 despite the working relationship being blighted by inconsistent payments and frequent delivery delays.

The Palace and fortress complex was built for the last muslim emirs in Spain in 889.
Photo: Escuela el Banuelo

However Villafranca vehemently denied the allegations made against her and insisted that the selection process for the contract was carried out with “integrity and transparency.” The monument’s contract with the audio-guide manufacturer is up for another renewal in September.

At a press conference Villafranca announced that she would step down if investigators declared her a suspect in the case.

Meanwhile an unnamed source cited by El País stated that Villafranca was “surprised by the arrest,” but insisted “she has a very clear conscience and her hands are clean.”

The Alhambra Palace attracts 2.4 million visitors annually.