The Ertzaintza arrested the president of the Arratiko Zekorrak Rugby Taldea club in Igorre, Unai Zuluaga, 53, on Friday in Durango on suspicion of fraud and disloyal administration linked to unpaid winnings from the Christmas Lottery.
The arrest followed 132 complaints from people unable to collect their share of the 2.1 million euros still owed from the third prize of number 90.693. Zuluaga admitted selling 225 extra shares by mistake and acknowledged lacking funds to make the payments.
The club had bought 285 tenths of the winning number and sold shares mainly to players, residents of Igorre and other Biscay clubs. The affected parties, who have organized via social media and a Telegram channel, demand full payment and have rejected partial settlements.
According to the Basque Government’s Department of Security, Zuluaga will be brought before a judge after police procedures. The case has caused widespread outrage in the town, where meetings have been held to coordinate legal action.
