A high-profile corruption investigation in the Canary Islands is reaching a new level: the court is preparing to consider charges against former top officials, a process that could impact public trust in state institutions and oversight of the allocation of public funds. For Spaniards, this is more than just another scandal—it’s about government transparency and potential consequences for the region’s economy.
The judge overseeing the Mediador case has proposed bringing charges against former Socialist Party deputy Juan Bernardo Fuentes Curbelo, known as Tito Berni, on six counts, including bribery, fraud, and embezzlement. Entrepreneur Marco Antonio Navarro Tacoronte, described as the intermediary, and former Civil Guard General Francisco Espinosa Navas may also end up in the dock. The investigation believes they were involved in a large-scale scheme to obtain illegal commissions and gifts for administrative services, particularly in the livestock sector.
Network of influence
The case involves 23 people, and its details became known after analyzing the mobile devices of a middleman, where evidence was found showing the transfer of money and services to politicians in exchange for lobbying business interests. Judge María de los Ángeles Lorenzo-Cáceres y Farizo insists on prosecuting all key suspects, including Tito Berni, who is accused not only of bribery but also of abuse of office, influence peddling, and crimes against public service.
According to investigators, Navarro Tacoronte acted as an intermediary between officials and businesspeople, while General Espinosa, who is already retired, allegedly used his contacts to promote the interests of those involved in the scheme. An additional charge of money laundering has also been brought against Navarro. Prosecutors and other parties now have ten days to prepare indictments or to request dismissal of the case if they believe there is insufficient evidence for trial.
Corruption Mechanisms
The investigation uncovered a complex network in which officials and intermediaries promised to expedite bureaucratic procedures, secure contracts, or cancel inspections in exchange for cash payments and gifts. Special attention was given to the livestock sector and the distribution of state subsidies. Evidence includes messages, photos, and wire transfers found on the intermediary’s phones, as well as records of meetings and dinners with entrepreneurs in Madrid, in close proximity to the Congress of Deputies, where Fuentes Curbelo worked until the scheme was exposed.
At the center of the group were not only the former deputy and his nephew, but also the former director of livestock for the Canary Islands, Taishet Fuentes, as well as General Espinosa and businessman Navarro. According to investigators, all of them were linked to a system where administrative decisions were made in exchange for personal gain, including the payment for escort services.
Reaction and consequences
The Mediador case has become one of the most talked-about corruption cases in Spain in recent years. Its details sparked widespread public reaction and cast doubt on the effectiveness of current oversight mechanisms for officials’ actions. Recalling other high-profile cases, it is worth noting that Judge Antonio Piña recently refused to reopen the investigation against María Dolores de Cospedal, which triggered heated debates about the transparency of the judicial system — you can read more about this in the article about the unexpected twist in the Villarejo case.
In recent years, Spain has faced a series of high-profile corruption cases involving politicians and security officials. Such incidents typically lead to public distrust and call for a reassessment of how government spending is monitored. Scandals related to illegal lobbying and abuse of power spark debate over the need for reforms in governance and greater transparency in public institutions. Each new case increases pressure on the authorities and pushes them to seek more effective measures to combat corruption.
