The entrepreneur Víctor de Aldama appeared this Monday as an investigator at the Supreme Court, where he arrived escorted by Daniel Esteve, leader of Desokupa. The alleged architect of the corruption conspiracy that lurked in the Ministry of Transport at the time of the socialist José Luis Ábalos, has ratified his accusations against both the former minister and his right-hand man in that ministry, Koldo García, but has also implicated against the PSOE in the alleged collection of commissions, sources present in the press release inform elDiario.es.
Ábalos tries to have the corruption plot renamed the “Koldo case” and places all responsibility on his advisor
For about three hours the entrepreneur tried to dismantle the thesis of Ábalos, who last Thursday denied the bites that the entrepreneur attributes to him and focused on who his right-hand man was. According to the sources consulted, the entrepreneur reported that he had played the role of “collector” and that he had collected up to four million euros in commissions for public works awards with wich he then paid bribes to the former minister Koldo García and even to the PSOE.
At that point of the interrogation, the judge asked him if he had evidence of the alleged corrupt system that the entrepreneur defined as “quota” but, for the moment, he did not provide it. Yes, he provided screenshots in which alleged agreements for the awarding of public works appear. Moreover, he quantified the commissions he would have paid to Ábalos in various deliveries at 175,000 euros, some of which were at the ministerial headquarters.
In his deposition before the National Tribunal, Aldama claimed to have paid direct commissions, among others, to the current minister and then president of the Canary Islands Ángel Víctor Torres, to the socialist leader Santos Cerdán and to a senior Treasury official, collaborator of the minister María Jesús Montero. Before the Supreme Court, the businessman confirmed these accusations and assured that he had paid the rent of up to three tourist apartments in the capital which, according to his testimony, Ábalos and Torres used in the company of women.
Before judge Leopoldo Puente, the commissioner also illustrated several facts already analyzed by the Civil Guard at the National Court: his closeness to Ábalos and Koldo García, which dates back to 2018, when he helped the then minister to make an official visit to Mexico . he then confirmed that his relationships with both preceded the contracts for the masks that were the subject of the investigation.
After his declaration, Judge Puente imposed precautionary measures which prohibit him from leaving the national territory, with the withdrawal of his passport, and the obligation to appear every two weeks before the Supreme court, as requested by the Prosecutor’s Office and by the popular prosecution exercised by the Party. Popular.
nexus”
Aldama, who the Guardia Civil identifies as the ”corrupt nexus” of the conspiracy, was summoned this Monday for the first time before the Supreme Court following his statement to the National Court on November 21. In that appearance he spoke of money deliveries to Ábalos,koldo and Cerdán and tried to implicate half a dozen ministers and Sánchez without,up to that point,any evidence othre than his word.
After this statement, in a succession of events that reveal prior planning, his lawyer asked Judge Santiago Pedraz, who was holding him in prison for another reason, to order his release. In the afternoon, with a decision agreed between the prosecutor of the case, Luis Pastor, and his head of the fight against corruption, Alejandro Luzón, the Public Prosecutor transferred the judge who had not opposed his release. He was released from prison less than 12 hours later.
days later, he submitted a letter to the Supreme Court in which he claimed to have evidence of that confession and raised suspicions on the former minister by assuring that he had also received bribes for maneuvers in road contracts awarded by the department he headed between 2018 and 2021. Two reports prepared by the Ministry of Transport and ADIF deny these accusations having found no irregularities in the contracts denounced by Aldama. “No treatment has even led to the suspicion of preferential treatment or an irregular act”, we read in the technical document prepared by the railway manager.
Ábalos denied everything
Aldama’s statement also came after Ábalos denied the bites attributed to him by the entrepreneur last Thursday, focused on his right-hand man, Koldo García, and remained in his defense.
For three hours, the current deputy of the Mixed Group limited himself to denying his involvement in the conspiracy that would have profited from rigged contracts and to deny having benefited from commissions or advantages neither for the masks nor for the motorway contracts. He did it with a similar reasoning: it wasn’t up to him to go into detail about the contracts for medical supplies or road contracts that the commissioner placed under suspicion.
Aldama arrives to declare himself at the Supreme Court accompanied by the leader of Desokupa
The investigation still has a long way to go, where million-dollar mask contracts stemming from the investigation will be examined, but whether the conspiracy has extended its influence to other public awards will also be examined. Koldo García, who chose to remain silent the first time he sat before a judge in this case, is scheduled to appear in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. It remains to be seen whether he will change strategy now.
How can governments strengthen regulations to prevent systemic corruption?
Title: Unveiling Political Corruption: An Interview with Expert Analyst Maria Lopez
interviewer (John Smith, Editor of Time.news): Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a special guest, Maria lopez, a renowned expert in political corruption and transparency. Maria, thank you for joining us.
Maria Lopez (Expert Analyst): Thank you for having me, John. It’s a pleasure to be here.
John Smith: Let’s dive right into the recent developments that have captured public attention. The entrepreneur Víctor de Aldama testified in the Supreme Court regarding a corruption conspiracy linked to the Ministry of Transport during José Luis Ábalos’s tenure. What are your thoughts on the implications of his testimony?
Maria Lopez: Aldama’s testimony is quite notable, John. It not only implicates high-ranking officials, including Ábalos and his advisor Koldo García, but also suggests a systemic approach to corruption within the Ministry. his claims of collecting millions in commissions and bribing multiple officials highlight a troubling pattern that needs thorough examination.
John Smith: Aldama mentioned that he played the role of a “collector” for public works awards. How common is this practice in political systems worldwide?
Maria Lopez: Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon. In many political settings, notably where oversight mechanisms are weak, we see contractors acting as intermediaries for corrupt practices. They often facilitate the transfer of money through supposedly legitimate channels. This creates a cycle of corruption that can be difficult to dismantle without robust legal and institutional frameworks.
John Smith: it’s alarming to think about these practices being embedded in government operations. aldama claims to have provided evidence, like screenshots of agreements and details of commission payments. How crucial is this evidence in bringing justice?
Maria Lopez: Solid evidence is essential for any corruption case.While Aldama has provided some documentation, the challenge often lies in the context and interpretation of this evidence. Screenshots and other forms of documentation need to be corroborated with witness testimonies and the paper trail from the involved parties. In legal terms, the burden of proof rests on demonstrating a consistent and credible narrative of corruption.
John Smith: Interestingly, Ábalos has attempted to shift the blame to Koldo García, referring to this as the “Koldo case.” What does this indicate about the defense strategy in corruption cases?
Maria Lopez: Deflecting blame is a classic strategy in corruption cases. By attempting to minimize his role and elevate García’s culpability,Ábalos aims to protect his political standing. This tactic can sometimes sway public opinion, but ultimately, it’s up to the judicial system to sift through these claims and determine accountability. A strong legal framework is essential to ensure that individual and systemic corruption is addressed properly.
John Smith: Indeed. Aldama also mentioned paying rents for apartments used by politicians during questionable circumstances. What message does this send,and how should lawmakers respond?
Maria Lopez: This paints a disturbing picture of personal and professional entanglements. If lawmakers are found to have accepted favors or benefits that could affect their decision-making, it raises serious ethical concerns. lawmakers must prioritize transparency and conflict-of-interest regulations to restore public trust. Active monitoring and stringent penalties for ethical violations can discourage such behaviors.
John Smith: what do you see as the next steps in this unfolding story?
Maria Lopez: We’ll likely see further investigations from the judiciary and possibly more testimonies from other engaged parties. The media will continue to scrutinize developments as public interest remains high. It’s crucial for civil society and watchdog organizations to stay vigilant, advocating for transparency while ensuring the legal system holds individuals accountable. Only through sustained pressure can we hope to see meaningful reforms.
John Smith: Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insights with us today. This situation is complex, and your expertise sheds light on the necessary steps forward.
Maria Lopez: Thank you, John. I look forward to seeing how this unfolds,as accountability is crucial for a healthy democracy.
John Smith: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay informed with Time.news as we continue to cover this and related stories.