National Police have detained a Manacor businessman for attempting to bribe María Joaquina Ferrer, the director general of Coasts and Shoreline in the Balearic government, with €20,000 hidden in a box of chocolates. The incident happened early this April to resolve permit issues for his excursion business in Portocristo. Ferrer rejected the bribe and reported it immediately.
A tourist businessman from Manacor, running an excursions business in Portocristo, went to the office of María Joaquina Ferrer, director general of Coasts in the Balearic government, early this April. The department had previously denied licenses and permits for his company, following prior meetings between them.
He handed her a box of chocolates containing €20,000, intending for her to resolve the permits in exchange. Ferrer rejected the offer, reported the incident to National Police, and sources from the Department of Sea and Water Cycle praised her proper conduct.
On Thursday, April 16, National Police's Economic Crime and Technological Delinquency unit (UDED) arrested the businessman for alleged improper bribery. He was placed at the court's disposal that afternoon, invoked his right not to testify, and was released, with the case declared secret by a Palma court.
The investigation remains open, according to judicial sources.
