Catalonia anti-corruption probe into DGAIA youth aid irregularities

The Fiscalia Anticorrupció is investigating possible irregularities in the Direcció General d’Atenció a la Infància i l’Adolescència (DGAIA)’s provision of economic and housing assistance to young people under guardianship. The inquiry began after a protected whistle‑blower raised concerns about the management of funds by the Resilis Foundation in Girona. The Office Antifrau opened two separate investigations: one on the allocation of youth aid, which found no criminal conduct but highlighted contractual deficiencies, and a second on alleged “phantom” accommodation places where entities billed the Generalitat without actually housing youths. The Comptroller’s Office (Sindicatura de Comptes) identified up to €167 million in improper payments between 2016 and 2022, including roughly €4 million linked to youth aid, and noted cases where beneficiaries received aid while employed abroad. Antifrau has supplied its documentation to the prosecutor and continues to review extensive records. The prosecutor will determine whether the matters constitute administrative irregularities or criminal offenses.