On Thursday morning, the National Police arrested a Spanish businessman for having attempted to bribe Maria Joaquina Ferrer Mata, the director-general of the Balearics coasts and therefore the highest-ranked official in the Balearic Government's coasts department.
The businessman, who is understood to be from Porto Cristo, handed himself into the police on Thursday morning; he was apparently aware that he was under suspicion and likely to be arrested.
He appeared in court in Palma and was released around 6pm, having exercised his right to remain silent.
Ferrer Mata reported him to the National Police after he had gone to her offices for an appointment regarding permits. He allegedly gave her a box of chocolates and €20,000 to try and expedite certain permits related to his business activities.
The police are seeking to ascertain if anyone else was involved with the attempted bribery.