Former Marbella Mayor Julián Muñoz Passes Away
Julián Muñoz, the former mayor of Marbella from 2002 to 2003, passed away this week, marking the end of a chapter in the town’s corrupt history. Muñoz, who was 76, had been battling several health issues, including multiple heart attacks, a stroke, cancer, and diabetes, which had left him blind in one eye. He passed away at the HC Hospital in Marbella.
Family and Friends Gather to Bid Farewell
Muñoz’s wife, Mayte Zaldívar, whom he remarried after a highly publicized divorce in 2007, along with his family and closest friends, gathered at the hospital to be with him during his final moments.
Legacy of Corruption
Muñoz’s tenure as mayor was marked by corruption. He succeeded his friend and mentor, the notorious mayor Jesús Gil, who was banned from public office. Despite a vote of no confidence two months into his term, Muñoz continued the work of the GIL party, which held a majority of council seats in the town in 2003.
Operación Malaya: Spain’s Biggest Corruption Case
The reign of Muñoz and his successor, Marisol Yagüe, culminated in one of the largest corruption cases in Spain’s history, Operación Malaya. The case, which is still ongoing, involved illegal building licenses, bribery, and misuse of public funds on a massive scale during the real estate boom of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Bankruptcy and Arrest
Muñoz was arrested in 2006 in connection with Operación Malaya. He served only part of his lengthy prison sentences due to his ill health. He was also held responsible for bankrupting the Marbella council, although he declared bankruptcy himself when asked to repay the funds. As a result, the Marbella town hall was taken over by the central government in 2006 for just over a year.
High-Profile Romance and Scandal
Muñoz’s personal life was as controversial as his political career. He had a high-profile relationship with popular Spanish singer Isabel Pantoja, which lasted until 2009. The details of their romance and Muñoz’s subsequent divorce from Mayte Zaldívar were widely covered in the media. Pantoja was also implicated in the money laundering case and served two years in prison for her involvement.
Final Words and Apology
In a posthumous interview broadcast on Telecinco, Muñoz claimed that Pantoja ended up with all his money and that he was penniless when he left prison. He also took the opportunity to apologize to the people of Marbella for his actions during his time in office.
