Ayuso’s ‘Sheriff’ Ana Millán Under Judicial Scrutiny Amidst Ethics Concerns in Madrid PP
Ana Millán, the third-highest-ranking official in Madrid’s Popular Party (PP) and a close confidante of regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso, is currently under judicial investigation for alleged prevarication during her tenure as a councilor in Arroyomolinos, Madrid. This probe, alongside other controversies surrounding Ayuso’s inner circle, has sparked a debate about ethics and accountability within the regional government.
The investigation, which began in Arroyomolinos and has since been referred to the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJ) due to Millán’s parliamentary immunity, centers on seven public contracts awarded by the Youth Department of Arroyomolinos City Council between 2006 and 2011. These contracts were granted to companies owned by Francisco Roselló, an entrepreneur who allegedly paid the mortgage and community fees for an attic apartment belonging to Millán during the same period. Judicial documents indicate payments totaling 51,104.67 euros from Roselló’s companies to Millán, her sister, and her partner, categorized as income from work and economic activities. Furthermore, Millán’s accounts reportedly show numerous cash deposits of unknown origin starting in 2008, coinciding with the alleged payments from Roselló.
Millán maintains her innocence, asserting that the payments were merely rent for her property, which Roselló then sublet. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Millán’s ascent within the PP has continued, with her being appointed as the party’s number three in Madrid, a deputy, vice-president of the Assembly, and head of the PP’s interim management committee in Fuenlabrada. These appointments, all endorsed by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, underscore a pattern of unwavering support for Millán, even as ethical questions are raised.
The Móstoles Crisis and the ‘Sheriff’s’ Role
The controversy surrounding Millán gained further traction with her involvement in a separate incident in the spring of 2024. Millán met twice with a councilor from Móstoles who reported alleged harassment by the city’s mayor, Manuel Bautista. Millán reportedly concluded that it was a “textbook case of harassment,” yet no discernible action followed. This inaction, coupled with her own judicial situation, has drawn criticism from within the PP. An anonymous source within the regional PP expressed dismay, stating, “How is Millán going to correct anyone? They’ll just tell her: ‘But you’re under investigation!’ You can’t hold anyone accountable like that.”
This sentiment highlights a perceived “lack of ethical demand never before seen” within the party, with the “bar of exemplary conduct at rock bottom,” according to the same source. The source also drew parallels to past controversies involving Ayuso’s father, brother, and partner, suggesting a broader pattern of overlooking ethical concerns within the party’s leadership.
A Career Marked by Controversy and Unwavering Support
Ana Millán’s political career, deeply intertwined with that of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has been punctuated by several significant events:
- Spring 2022: Millán is vetted by Ayuso’s advisors regarding her Arroyomolinos case and subsequently appointed to key party positions despite the ongoing investigation.
- May 2023: The PP achieves a landslide victory in municipal and regional elections with Millán playing a central role.
- Spring 2024: Millán investigates the Móstoles harassment allegations but takes no apparent action.
- October 2024: The investigating judge finds “solid and justified indications” of four alleged crimes in Millán’s case, elevating it to the TSJ.
Even when the TSJ returned the case to the Navalcarnero court, deeming the investigation “inconclusive” and disagreeing with the initial list of alleged crimes, the PP of Madrid and President Ayuso have remained steadfast in their support for Millán. This unwavering loyalty has been demonstrated through the party’s forceful defense of Millán against opposition calls for her resignation and the swift actions of Secretary General Alfonso Serrano in addressing the Móstoles crisis.
The ‘Pro-PP’ Ethos and the Cost of Loyalty
Those who know Millán describe her as an “unflagging worker” and an “absolutely pro-PP person” who “understands power as a service to the party.” One long-time acquaintance stated, “She doesn’t care if a person is good or bad, because what matters to her is defending the party.” This description paints a picture of a politician whose primary allegiance is to the party’s interests, even if it means adopting a “harder, sometimes despotic” stance.
The current situation, with Millán’s partner summoned to testify on June 3rd, further intensifies the scrutiny on the Madrid PP. The ongoing judicial process and the party’s staunch defense of Millán raise critical questions about the ethical standards expected of public officials and the potential consequences of prioritizing party loyalty over transparency and accountability.
The unfolding events in Madrid underscore the challenges inherent in maintaining public trust when key political figures face serious allegations, and the party’s response appears to prioritize internal cohesion over addressing public concerns about ethical conduct.
