Cops face prison

ployee at Otero’s head office in Marbella confirmed ‘all projects were stopped around 10 days ago’. “We are trying hard to solve the problems, which are tough,” she admitted.

Sales agent Mario Ballesteros, was more forthcoming. “I’m also in limbo and while I’m not directly responsible I feel sad for all the buyers, but I may be out of a job too.”

He continued: “I don’t know exactly what happened but I have not seen the owner Ruben for months.”

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Opinion Page 6

A TOTAL of 45 police officers are facing trial for excessive use of force during the illegal Catalan referendum in 2017. A judge has ruled ‘unnecessary’ and ‘gratuitous’ force was used against people who participated in the ballot.

The group of National Police could now face assault charges, with many of their actions either authorised or, at least, tolerated by bosses. Meanwhile, accusations have been withdrawn against a further 20 officers, during the region’s attempt to justify breaking away from Spain. Images of police violence during the voting were seen across the world, and drew widespread international condemnation.

The public prosecutor now has a month to decide whether to call for the case to be shelved, or to formally accuse the officers.

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.

Voted top expat paper in Spain OPINION

Always ask experts

WHEN the property bubble finally burst in Spain in 2008, the fallout had far reaching effects on the economy.

Tens of thousands of people were left in negative equity as home values plunged.

Developer after developer went under, with billions of euros disappearing into a financial blackhole.

Thousands of people who had paid substantial deposits for off-plan property not yet built were left in financial limbo for years. They were out of pocket with no house to show for it.

Many of them still are.

So big was the scandal that new regulations were brought in to prevent prospective home-owners from suffering the same fate again.

These included the requirement for bank guarantees to protect the deposits of purchasers, so at least they would get their money back if their property dreams were shattered. Thankfully, most developers appear to abide by this and the industry is in a far healthier state and on a far firmer foundation than it was back then.

But this is not to say that every firm is untouchable. Some clearly still go bust leaving clients, suppliers and employees in the lurch.

The full reasons why construction company Otero has seemingly shut up shop are not yet known. Nor is it known if the five-year-old company abided fully by the rules.

What we do know however is that dozens of contractors, agents and builders are owed millions of euros over unpaid bills, while an unknown number of purchasers - thought to be in the hundreds - have been left wondering if and when they will get their home completed or if they will get their cash back.

Unfortunately, among the more unscrupulous developers old habits die hard - and there are certainly still some shady firms who try to get round the rules to maximise their profit. Another recent example is Bynok, an Estepona developer, which folded last year, with the case still going through the courts.

This is why it is important to always seek competent, qualified advice from real estate professionals.

The best have been on the coast for years and know the market inside out - and more importantly know which developers to trust.

Since we broke the Otero story online, last week, several of these property professionals have told the Olive Press they refused to touch the company and would not recommend Otero to anyone.

As they told us there was clearly something ‘not quite right’. They were spot on.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Anthony Piovesan anthony@theolivepress.es

Jo Chipchase jo@theolivepress.es

John Culatto

ADMIN Sandra Aviles Diaz (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es