José Montelongo Discusses His Acquittal in Montecarlo Case
José Montelongo, the current director of the Canary Islands School of Health Services and former mayor and councillor of Arrecife, held a press conference on Friday to reflect on his recent acquittal in the final part of the Montecarlo case.
The Provincial Court of Las Palmas sentenced only Carlos Francisco Sáenz Melero, the former auditor of Arrecife, to prison for administrative misconduct and fraud, while Montelongo and nine others were acquitted. Montelongo expressed that the 14-year judicial process has profoundly impacted his personal, family, and professional life, despite the two acquittals.
He chose to hold the press conference at the Arrecife Municipal Archive, the same location where he announced his resignation as mayor in 2016. Montelongo stated he needed to close a significant chapter of his life and emphasised that his resignation in 2015 was a matter of institutional responsibility, reiterating that he has always maintained his innocence.
Montelongo highlighted the personal toll of the prolonged legal process, noting that no ruling could restore lost time or fully address the emotional strain on him and his family. He particularly remembered his father, who passed away without seeing the case’s conclusion, and apologised to his family for their suffering during this ordeal.
He called on the public to reflect on the presumption of innocence, stressing that his character was unfairly portrayed as criminal before any judicial decision was made. He made it clear that his intent was not to assign blame or reignite political debates, but rather to share the personal consequences of the lengthy legal battle. He reaffirmed the importance of upholding the presumption of innocence as a fundamental principle of law.
Before wrapping up, Montelongo expressed gratitude to those who continued to support him over the years, especially Coalición Canaria for its backing upon his return to politics.
