Michael Harthorne

Newser staff

(NEWSER) – A 69-year-old Spanish man was fined this week after officials discovered he hadn't shown up to work for at least six years, the Guardian reports. Ironically, the civil servant was discovered only when the deputy mayor attempted to give him an award for 20 years of "loyal and dedicated" service in 2010. “I thought, where is this man?" the Guardianquotes the deputy mayor. "Is he still there? Has he retired? Has he died?” According to the Independent, a legal case was launched against the man — Joaquín García — that year. It finally wrapped up this week, with García, who retired in 2011, losing an appeal and being issued a fine of approximately $30,000, the Times reports. That's the equivalent of one year's salary after taxes, and was the most that could legally be reclaimed.

The investigation into García determined he hadn't been to his office for at least six years—and possibly as long as 14 years — and had done "absolutely no work" between 2007 and 2010. He was supposed to be supervising the construction of a water treatment plant, the BBC reports. But the water company thought the city council was in charge of García, while the city council thought the water company was in charge of him. A water company manager admitted to not having seen García for years despite having an office across from him. García argues he was bullied and given a job with no actual work to do because of his socialist politics. As for what he did with all his free time: The Guardian reports he became "an avid reader of philosophy and an expert on the works of Spinoza." (A Spanish mayormade taking an afternoon nap the law.)

This story appeared originally on Newser: Man Skips Work for 6 Years, No One Notices

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