Marcos Benavent, the former manager of the public company Imelsa in Valencia, previously pled guilty to being a 'money junkie' in a court appearance, expressing regret for his actions. He had initially sought a plea agreement with the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, adopting a new lifestyle that seemed at odds with his past. However, this collaboration has since fallen apart, leading the prosecutors to significantly increase their request for his imprisonment.

On Monday, prosecutor Fernando Maldonado urged the court to impose a 'harsh and exemplary' sentence against Benavent. The new request of 11 years in prison includes five years for bribery, six years for embezzlement, and a nine-year disqualification for prevarication. This request marks a departure from earlier demands, where they sought six years and six months of jail time, citing his previous cooperation with the investigation as a mitigating factor, which has now been withdrawn.

Benavent's case highlights ongoing concerns about public corruption in Spain, particularly in Valencia. His initial guilt and confession had brought hopes of uncovering a larger network of corrupt practices within the local government, but his retraction raises questions about accountability and the integrity of plea deals in corruption cases, posing challenges for prosecutors aiming to establish justice and restore public trust in governmental institutions.