Public attention in Spain is once again focused on an investigation that could impact trust in the country’s institutions. The court handling the case linked to Equipo Económico has unexpectedly accelerated proceedings, requesting from the Mercantile Register complete registration details and annual reports of the firm for the past 17 years. This decision could be crucial for understanding how ties between business and politics were forged during the years of the Rajoy government.
Judge Rubén Rus, who leads the investigation, has launched a large-scale collection of documents to compare them with information already held by tax authorities and law enforcement agencies. The spotlight is on not only Equipo Económico but also a number of other companies connected to the case’s key figures. Of particular interest is the property of former finance minister Cristóbal Montoro and six other individuals who previously held high-ranking positions in public offices.
Court requests
The judicial order calls for not only the registration documents and reports of Equipo Económico, but also similar records for companies previously known as Montoro y Asociados Asesores S.L. and Global Afteli. The judge demands founding documents, details on the acquisition and transfer of shares, as well as information on who was associated with these entities and when.
A key part of the request concerns information about the marital property regime of Montoro and his brother Ricardo, as well as other principal figures: Equipo Económico founder Ricardo Martínez Rico, former Deputy Budget Minister Pilar Platero, ex-tax agency head Manuel de Vicente Tutor, former director of Agencia Tributaria Salvador Ruiz Gallud, and Montoro’s former chief of staff Francisco de Asís. The court seeks a complete inventory of each individual’s assets, along with documentation to precisely assess the value of their holdings.
Financial links
As part of the investigation, the judge is also demanding all documents confirming services provided by Equipo Económico, including invoices, statements of completed work, and payment receipts. Special attention is being paid to whether the company actually rendered the declared services or whether its main function was to use its influence to lobby for the interests of gas companies.
Among other things, the court is interested in correspondence and other forms of communication between Equipo Económico staff, representatives of gas companies, and state bodies — the Ministry of Finance, the Tax Directorate, and the Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria. The court has also requested internal regulatory documents concerning payment of suppliers.
Prosecutor’s suspicions
The investigation began back in 2018, when suspicions arose that a scheme of influence had been created around Equipo Económico to shape laws in the interests of certain companies. According to prosecutors, business owners paid a firm linked to Montoro to push for changes in legislation that would benefit the gas sector. At the same time, investigators believe that actual services might not have been provided—the mere fact of close connections to those in power was often sufficient.
Montoro’s defense maintains that he left Equipo Económico before taking office in the government. However, the court is not limiting itself to this argument and is continuing to gather evidence in order to determine whether there were attempts to conceal assets or use official position for personal gain.
Impact on society
The court case involving Equipo Económico raises renewed questions about transparency and accountability of former officials. The request for such a large volume of documents could lead to new revelations affecting not only those named in the case, but also the entire system of business-government relations in Spain. Public reaction to the unfolding events is already noticeable: social networks are abuzz with discussions about how deeply private companies and state institutions may have been interconnected.
It remains unclear whether the investigation will lead to new charges or high-profile revelations. Still, the mere fact that the case has gained momentum after months of silence shows that issues of transparency and oversight of former officials continue to be among the most pressing for Spanish society.
