Macarena Olona, former spokesperson for Vox in the Spanish Congress, has left her post in the State Legal Service to join the legal team led by José Antonio Choclán. The firm represents Víctor de Aldama, the businessman implicated in the so-called Koldo case, putting Olona at the center of one of Spain’s most closely watched corruption cases. Her move takes her from public service to private legal practice at a firm known for high-profile criminal defense.
Choclán, a magistrate on leave and founder of Choclán Abogados, is considered one of Spain’s most prominent criminal lawyers. His firm has represented high-profile clients, including footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Corinna Larsen during the Villarejo investigation, which drew attention to the former king. Choclán has often appeared in major corruption trials at the Audiencia Nacional, where he once served as a judge in the Criminal Chamber. His clients have included former Madrid regional president Cristina Cifuentes, acquitted of forging a master’s degree, and Francisco Correa, the central figure in the Gürtel case. Former Valencia mayor Rita Barberá, who faced money laundering accusations in 2015, was also a client.
Olona announced her new role on social media, describing Choclán as “one of the most prestigious lawyers in Spain” and saying she would continue her legal fight “on both sides of the Atlantic.” Her departure from the State Legal Service became public on August 21, when she called her 17 years defending the State and law enforcement her greatest professional privilege. At the time, she did not specify her next career step, saying only that she would maintain her professional direction.
Since leaving her government role, Olona’s social media posts have documented her travels in Venezuela, including visits to La Guaira and Los Roques, as well as El Salto Ángel. Her announcement this week clarified her immediate plans: she has joined the Choclán Abogados team defending Aldama in the Koldo case. The case has drawn national attention. Aldama received a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence, less than the seven years sought by prosecutors. The sentence is subject to conditions: he must not reoffend for five years, submit biannual activity reports, and complete a year of community service.
The Koldo case continues, with Aldama still under investigation by the Audiencia Nacional over alleged rigging of public works contracts. The legal strategy and outcomes are under close scrutiny for their potential to set precedents in future corruption prosecutions in Spain. Choclán’s firm has featured in other high-profile cases; a recently reported investigation into legal hiring practices in Valencia also drew attention to scrutiny of legal professionals and their roles in such cases.
Former public officials in Spain have increasingly moved into private practice, particularly at firms specializing in criminal defense and corruption cases. The Koldo case is part of broader judicial scrutiny of public procurement and political connections. As proceedings continue, Olona and Choclán’s involvement highlights the intersection of politics, law, and public accountability in Spain’s justice system. The outcome of Aldama’s ongoing investigation could influence future legal strategies and public perceptions of how corruption cases are handled at the highest levels.
