Antifraud office closes case on alleged irregularities in America's Cup contracts

The Anti-Fraud Office of Catalonia (OAC) has decided to close an investigation into possible irregularities related to the organization of the America's Cup sailing competition in Barcelona last year. 

The complaint had been filed in October by a group called 'No to the America's Cup', which raised concerns about how public money was being used and whether the contracts followed principles like objectivity, efficiency, and legality. 

The group had asked for an investigation into the people involved in organizing the event, as well as a review of public procurement and how public funds were spent. They also requested a closer look at financial contributions made by the Catalan government, the Barcelona Provincial Council, and other public institutions. 

After taking action, including requests from the ministry of Business and Labour, the Barcelona City Council, and the Barcelona Nautical Capital Foundation, the OAC said it found no evidence that these bodies had failed to meet transparency and public information rules. 

In its statement, the agency said: "no evidence of noncompliance with the obligations established in terms of transparency and access to public information by the three requested entities" was found. 

As for the request to investigate people, contracts, and financing related to the America's Cup, the OAC explained that since the complaint did not point to any specific wrongdoing, launching a broad investigation wouldn’t be appropriate. The agency said, "this approach would entail a general and speculative investigation that cannot be undertaken by the OAC," and added that such financial reviews are better handled by the Catalan Audit Office (Sindicatura de Comptes).