A corruption probe into Estepona mayor Jose Maria Garcia Urbano has been delayed for a third time.

It comes after a court hearing in which Urbano was due to give evidence was postponed after prosecutors requested additional documentation.

The mayor is under investigation over alleged administrative misconduct and influence peddling linked to the awarding of a restaurant concession at the Mirador del Carmen tower to a company connected to his son’s partner.

His statement, which had been scheduled for July 17, has now been suspended while the court awaits further evidence requested by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

According to court orders seen by local media, prosecutors have asked Estepona Town Hall to hand over a series of administrative files relating to the concession, including planning permissions, construction licences, technical reports, inspection records, opening permits and financial documentation.

The requested material also includes records of concession payments, treasury reports and any enforcement or disciplinary proceedings linked to the project.

Municipal sources said the council is preparing the documents and will submit them to the court ‘with complete transparency and as quickly as possible’.

They also argued that the request could have been made earlier to avoid further delays, adding that the information sought ‘is not related to the object of the investigation’ because it does not concern the tendering or award process itself.

It is the third postponement in the case.

The mayor’s initial appearance was delayed in January while prosecutors submitted evidence collected by Spain’s financial crimes unit (UDEF).

A second hearing scheduled for May was postponed because one of the lawyers representing private prosecutors was unable to attend.

The investigation stems from a complaint filed by the Malaga Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in July 2025 against Urbano and members of the tender committee.

Prosecutors are examining whether legal requirements were allegedly bypassed when permission was granted for a restaurant to operate on the 10th, 11th and 12th floors of the Mirador del Carmen tower.

According to the prosecution, the concession was awarded to a company whose sole shareholder and director was the mayor’s son’s partner. Only two companies reportedly bid for the contract.

The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has said the investigation was launched following public concern over the award being made to a business linked to the mayor’s family.

Estepona Town Hall has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

In a statement, the council said neither the mayor nor municipal officials have yet had the opportunity to give their version of events in court and insisted they will demonstrate that ‘no illegality, irregularity or incompatibility’ occurred during the concession process.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.