Charges Against Former Minister: Investigation Details
Spain’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office is seeking 24 years in prison and a fine of over €3.9 million for former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos. His former adviser, Koldo García, faces 19.5 years and a similar fine. Another defendant, businessman Víctor de Aldama, could spend seven years behind bars due to his cooperation with the investigation.
All three are facing charges of participating in a criminal organization, bribery, insider trading, influence peddling, and embezzlement. Aldama received a reduced sentence thanks to his confession. Investigators claim the scheme enabled them to illegally profit from state mask procurement during the pandemic.
How the Scheme Worked and Each Person’s Role
According to prosecutors, Ábalos was the mastermind, with García as his trusted aide and intermediary. Using his connections, Aldama secured lucrative contracts for his companies, including supplying millions of masks to government agencies. In return, investigators allege, he delivered large sums of cash monthly to Ábalos and García—sometimes even making payments abroad.
Investigators also found that the former minister used his position to get his ex-partner a job at state-run companies. She received a salary for barely doing any work. A similar situation occurred with another employee who was also hired through favoritism.
Origins of the Case and Court Proceedings
The investigation began with the 2017 party primaries, when Ábalos met García. Later, after becoming a minister, he appointed him as his advisor. Aldama entered their circle through family connections and quickly became a key intermediary between business and government.
The case materials mention episodes involving real estate purchases, renting apartments for Ábalos’s relatives, and even attempts to lobby for debt deferment for Aldama’s companies. According to prosecutors, all these actions were part of a single scheme to gain personal benefit by exploiting public resources.
Defense Arguments and Future Prospects
Ábalos and García deny the charges, calling the investigation biased and a violation of their rights. Their lawyers claim they have not been given access to all case materials and were unable to conduct necessary examinations. The defense also highlights procedural violations related to Ábalos’s parliamentary immunity.
The trial is ongoing, and a final verdict has yet to be reached. Nevertheless, it has already become one of Spain’s most high-profile corruption scandals in recent years, implicating not only former officials but also state companies.
