New leadership at ICAVI and ICAP after Antonio Ortega resigns amid sexual assault allegations

The Canary Islands Government has reshuffled two senior positions at the Canary Islands Institute of Housing (ICAVI) and the Canary Islands Institute of Public Administration (ICAP) after Antonio Ortega, until now director of ICAVI, stepped down following the issuance of a processing order for an alleged sexual‑freedom offence.

According to several regional media outlets, the case against Ortega began with a complaint filed in 2022 by a 24‑year‑old woman who claimed she was groped in 2017 while Ortega was mayor of La Vega de San Mateo. A trial has not yet been opened because the defence has appealed the order and is seeking dismissal, arguing that the criminal action is time‑barred. The Instruction Court No. 3 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria issued the processing order on 6 February and set a €125,000 bail for a possible indemnity. Canarias 7 reported that the complaint was already known at the time of Ortega’s appointment.

Restructuring the Leadership of ICAVI and ICAP

Following Ortega’s resignation, the Government Council approved the appointment of Pino de León as the new director of ICAVI, according to an official statement from the regional executive. Pino de León previously led the institute from 2017 to 2019 and assumes the role with the aim of strengthening public‑housing management, boosting ongoing promotions, and consolidating programmes linked to the Canary Islands Housing Plan.

The reshuffle at ICAVI also triggered a change at ICAP: Gustavo Pérez has been named the new director of the Canary Islands Institute of Public Administration, replacing Pino de León. The executive highlighted Pérez’s background as a specialist in Foreign Trade and Marketing, noting his tenure as deputy mayor of Güímar (2013‑2021) and mayor of the municipality from July 2021 to August 2025.

Profiles of the New Appointees

Pino de León Returns to Housing

Pino de León holds a law degree from the University of La Laguna, a university master’s in Urban Planning and Territorial Organization from the International Menéndez Pelayo University (in collaboration with the National Institute of Public Administration, INAP), and an Urban Planning Technician Diploma from INAP.

A career civil servant in the Canary Islands Autonomous Community, she belongs to the Superior Corps of Administrators, Sub‑group A1. Throughout her trajectory she has held various technical and legal responsibilities within the regional administration, including:

• Head of the Heritage and Mobile Park Service of the General Directorate of Heritage and Procurement
• Legal adviser to the Government of the Canary Islands’ Legal Services
• Head of the Legal Regime Service of the General Directorate of Industry and Energy
• Head of Service at the General Directorate of Youth

She has also served in the General Directorate of Tourist Infrastructure and the General Directorate of Housing, where she was section chief supporting the director‑general in earlier stages of her career.

Her institutional experience extends to political roles in the Tenerife Island Council, where she was councilor for the Municipal Cooperation and Housing Area (2003‑2007) and councilor for the Territorial Planning Area (2007‑2015).

Gustavo Pérez, from Güímar to Government

Gustavo Pérez is a specialist technician in Secondary‑Level Vocational Training for Foreign Trade and Marketing. Over his professional career he has worked as a teacher, commercial manager, and sociocultural manager. From 2013 to 2021 he served as deputy mayor of the Güímar City Council, and from July 2021 to August 2025 he was the municipality’s mayor.