The National High Court charges Zapatero as "leader" of an influence peddling scheme and attributes to him the collection of commissions worth 2.5 million euros

MadridThere was an "organized scheme of illicit exercise of influence" and a "stable and hierarchical structure" that was "led" by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and which had the purpose of obtaining "economic benefits" through "intermediation and the exercise of influence before public bodies in favor of third parties". This is the conclusion reached by a judge of the Audiencia Nacional to impute the former Spanish president for the alleged crimes of criminal organization, influence peddling and document forgery and to summon him on June 2nd in the framework of the Plus Ultra case. In a 85-page ruling to which ARA has had access, José Luis Calama considers that Zapatero "would have put" his "personal contacts" and his "access capacity" to high-ranking officials of the administration at the service of third parties interested in "obtaining favorable decisions". Under scrutiny are possible illegal commission payments in exchange for the 53 million euro bailout that the Spanish government gave to the airline Plus Ultra in March 2021 and alleged maneuvers to launder money from Venezuela. The judge calculates that Zapatero would have received 2.5 million euros in commissions through four companies: one and a half million directly to him and 985,000 euros to What The Fav, his daughters' marketing company.

According to José Luis Calama, Zapatero had "direct intervention" in "international operations of high economic value", such as those related to gold, petroleum coke –a byproduct obtained during crude oil refining–, and the buying and selling of stocks or currencies. Furthermore, the network operated in Spain and abroad and maintained contacts with "authorities and economic operators" from Venezuela, China, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries. The objective was to "influence administrative decisions or facilitate large-scale commercial operations". The ruling details the operation: fictitious documentation was created –such as contracts or invoices–, funds were channeled through "companies with no real activity", and accounting documentation was hidden. It also emphasizes that the "triangulation of payments" and the intervention of front men "reinforce the appearance of a structure designed to conceal the origin and destination of funds".

Likewise, the judge alleges that Zapatero's role was to "select clients, issue instructions to create companies in offshore territories, and adopt strategies to formally disassociate from the structure". Specifically, it states that the former Spanish president ordered the establishment of a company in Dubai just one week after a company owned by Julio Martínez Martínez –which held 100% of the company created in the United Arab Emirates– signed a contract with Plus Ultra to receive a 1% commission from the rescue, i.e., 350,000 euros. José Luis Calama maintains that the company was intended to "channel this payment". He also points to María Gertrudis Alcázar, who has been Zapatero's secretary for years: the judge believes she had an "essential operational role" by being in charge of preparing the "formal cover" for all the activity.

It is the first time that a former Spanish prime minister has had to testify as an investigated person in a criminal case involving corruption. José Luis Calama has also ordered searches at the former president's office and at three companies, including What The Fav. The investigation was initiated following a complaint filed by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office against seven individuals for an alleged offense of money laundering, pointing to a supposed criminal organization established in France, Switzerland, and Spain. Furthermore, it has had the collaboration of Homeland Security Investigations, a United States agency dedicated to "complex and significant" investigations into "transactional criminal organizations." Until now, the case was under summary secrecy, which was lifted this Tuesday.

Hours after the news broke, José Luis Rodríguez has defended his innocence. In a video sent to the media, he assured that all his private activity "has been carried out within the law" and guaranteed that he has "never" carried out "any action related to the rescue of Plus Ultra." He also stated that he has never owned a commercial company, and concluded: "I will exercise my right to defense with all firmness and all conviction" —reports Nuria Orriols Guiu.

Who was Julio Martínez Martínez?

The key figure is Julio Martínez Martínez, a businessman, owner of the company Análisis Relevante –key in the case– and a friend of Zapatero. He is the one he used to go running with and who was arrested five months ago. According to the investigation, his companies "channeled" the "financial compensation" that was directed to Zapatero and his "closest circle" –his daughters– through "ad hoc" "advisory or consultancy contracts" that were used as "mere documentary justification." The "direct and indirect payments" came from Plus Ultra and other companies. Likewise, Julio Martínez Martínez acted as "habitual intermediary for the network's clients" and as "receiver and executor of direct instructions" from Zapatero.

What three influences were attempted to be exerted?

What three influences were attempted to be exerted?

How was the capacity for influence made apparent?

How was the capacity for influence demonstrated?What money laundering is being investigated?

What money laundering is being investigated?

Political reactions

The opposition to the Spanish government has wasted no time in reacting. The PP has asked Sánchez to leave. "He cannot continue," said the party leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, from X.

For its part, the Spanish government has defended Zapatero's presumption of innocence and maintains the course of enduring the legislature until 2027. "His mandate represented the greatest social transformation in our country and also defeated ETA," declared the Moncloa spokesperson, Elma Saiz. "It is the 'he who can, let him do' to the fullest expression," said Rebeca Torró, Organization Secretary of the PSOE, for her part, in allusion to what José María Aznar said to fight against the Spanish government. For the moment, however, Moncloa and the PSOE avoid using the word lawfare.