# Cuenca Municipality financial audit and irregularities > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cuenca-municipality-financial-audit-and-irregularities > Updated: 2026-10-25T01:20:36.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. An audit by the Comptroller General of the State has uncovered irregularities in contracts managed by the Municipality of Cuenca regarding artistic and cultural festivals. The investigation into over $1.15 million in resources revealed the existence of ‘ghost’ events that were paid for but never occurred. Investigators discovered that contract execution reports used outdated photographs and social media links from 2017 to 2022 to falsely justify payments. In one instance involving a $63,375 contract, local artists confirmed they did not perform despite their images being used in reports. Singer Verónica Tola issued a statement clarifying she was never part of the event and received no public funds. The findings involve various festivals, such as ‘Te Quiero, Cuenca’ and ‘Amor por Cuenca’, and involve management during the tenure of suspended mayor Cristian Zamora. The audit highlighted unauthorized events, inadequate contracting, and the use of fraudulent documentation for logistics and musical performances. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-25: Allegations of financial irregularities and theft in municipal cemeteries Administrators in Ecuador deny recent cemetery thefts, attributing damage to weather, while allegations of illegal revenue collection and parallel accounting emerge in Córdoba, Mexico. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/allegations-of-financial-irregularities-and-theft-in-municipal-cemeteries ### 2026-10-12: Cuenca Municipality audit reveals ‘ghost’ artistic contracts An audit by Ecuador's Comptroller General found that the Municipality of Cuenca paid for ‘ghost’ artistic events using fraudulent documentation and old photographs to justify the misuse of over $1.15 million. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuenca-municipality-audit-reveals-ghost-artistic-contracts --- Cite as: Cuenca Municipality financial audit and irregularities. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cuenca-municipality-financial-audit-and-irregularities