Carlos Mazón, the former president of Spain’s Valencia region, is under intense scrutiny regarding his actions during the catastrophic floods that struck the area on October 29, 2024. The disaster claimed 229 lives in Valencia and eight more in neighboring regions. Mazón, a member of the conservative People’s Party (PP), has already announced his resignation this month amid widespread criticism of his administration’s handling of the crisis. A key point of contention is the delayed emergency alert, which was issued after 20:00 on the day of the floods, by which time most victims had already perished. New allegations suggest Mazón was unavailable for much of the day due to a lengthy lunch with journalist Maribel Vilaplana. According to evidence presented to Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, who is investigating potential negligence, the meal lasted nearly four hours. While both Mazón and Vilaplana initially claimed they parted ways shortly after leaving the restaurant, new reports contradict this timeline. Bank card records show Vilaplana left the car park at 19:47, but PP sources allege she drove Mazón to the regional government headquarters, where she dropped him off around 20:00. This would mean they were together for the entire duration, raising questions about Mazón’s whereabouts during a critical period. Mazón has denied these claims, insisting he walked to the government building and did not stop anywhere en route. He has also shifted blame to the central government, accusing them of failing to provide adequate information. Meanwhile, Salomé Pradas, former head of the interior department in Mazón’s government, has been named as a possible suspect in the investigation, though she denies any wrongdoing. Mazón, protected by parliamentary immunity, cannot be charged. José Muñoz of the Socialist Party has called for Mazón’s parliamentary seat to be revoked, accusing him of being entangled in a ‘labyrinth of lies.’