Madrid, 10 May 2008: Javier Rodrigo de Santos, until last year deputy mayor of Palma de Mallorca, was renowned for his political ambitions and Catholic-inspired conservative policies. Friends did not think him arrogant when he boasted that one day he would be government minister and colleagues from his party, the centre-right Partido Popular (PP), applauded his refusal to officiate at same-sex weddings, even though they are legal under Spanish law. The mayor and his wife, also a conservative politician, were known to have prayed together in his office. However, the image of a hard-working town councillor and pious father of five was wiped out when Mirko, a Brazilian male prostitute, described how de Santos took part in sex and drug parties often involving two or more rent boys, all paid for by the ex-mayor using his council credit card.

Spain’s public prosecutor alleges that Javier Rodrigo de Santos spent more than 50,000 euros of public money to satisfy his cravings for male company and illegal substances. The politician has admitted that between January 2006 and June 2007 he used his official credit card in the gay brothel Casa Alfredo. Witnesses say he often spent more than 1,500 euros a night several times a week. Mirko described his high-profile client as a really friendly guy who, after some drug taking, often booked two or three rent boys.

Mallorca’s fiscal authorities began their investigation when they noticed that de Santos had regularly paid a laundry service substantial sums of money in the early hours of the morning. It transpired that the laundry ‘Miele’ was directly connected to the brothel Casa Alfredo.

De Santos is reported to be currently in hiding in Madrid, while being investigated for embezzlement of public funds. Friends said he had paid back the money.