Investigation into Alleged Corruption Involving Former Spanish Minister José Luis Ábalos
Authorities conduct extensive investigations amid claims of misconduct in public works contracts
The judiciary in Spain has authorized a significant search of the residence of former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption linked to public works contracts.
The decision, made by Judge Leopoldo Puente, follows a report submitted by the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, which implies Ábalos's involvement in the illicit collection of commissions related to public contracts.
According to the judicial order, the investigations have uncovered recordings in which Ábalos may have admitted to manipulating the awarding of public works contracts in exchange for alleged kickbacks.
These recordings were reportedly retrieved from devices belonging to his former advisor, Koldo García. The judge noted that these recordings, mentioned in UCO's request for the search warrant, provide substantial grounds for the continued inquiry.
The search operation at Ábalos’s home occurred on the morning of June 10, 2025, and lasted nearly ten hours, concluding around five in the afternoon.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office had previously supported the decision to execute this search.
The judge's order cited that a particular reference to improperly awarded contracts involving Ábalos was included in the police report, highlighting potential illicit actions by the former minister.
In addition to the raid on Ábalos's residence, investigators obtained authorization to seize various electronic devices and communications that may be pertinent to the case.
This includes the confiscation of Ábalos’s smartphone and the extraction of private communications that could connect him to the alleged misconduct.
The UCO has also been permitted to search through contact lists, email accounts, call records, and social media exchanges.
Simultaneously, the UCO conducted searches at the offices of SERVINABAR 2000, one of the companies reportedly benefiting from the disputed public contracts.
This company was involved in a project awarded in January 2024 for the duplication of the Belate tunnel, valued at €76 million, contracted to a consortium that includes Acciona and Osés Construcciones.
Scrutiny of SERVINABAR has intensified due to two complaints regarding its contract awards, leading the UCO to determine a possible connection to the broader investigations concerning Ábalos.
This situation further implicates Santos Cerdán, the current number three of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), amid suspicions that he may have acted as an intermediary for the allegedly rigged awards.
As investigators delve into these allegations, attention is also oriented towards a forthcoming report from the UCO concerning communications between García and senior government officials, including members of the PSOE executive, as the inquiry unfolds.
The decision, made by Judge Leopoldo Puente, follows a report submitted by the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, which implies Ábalos's involvement in the illicit collection of commissions related to public contracts.
According to the judicial order, the investigations have uncovered recordings in which Ábalos may have admitted to manipulating the awarding of public works contracts in exchange for alleged kickbacks.
These recordings were reportedly retrieved from devices belonging to his former advisor, Koldo García. The judge noted that these recordings, mentioned in UCO's request for the search warrant, provide substantial grounds for the continued inquiry.
The search operation at Ábalos’s home occurred on the morning of June 10, 2025, and lasted nearly ten hours, concluding around five in the afternoon.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office had previously supported the decision to execute this search.
The judge's order cited that a particular reference to improperly awarded contracts involving Ábalos was included in the police report, highlighting potential illicit actions by the former minister.
In addition to the raid on Ábalos's residence, investigators obtained authorization to seize various electronic devices and communications that may be pertinent to the case.
This includes the confiscation of Ábalos’s smartphone and the extraction of private communications that could connect him to the alleged misconduct.
The UCO has also been permitted to search through contact lists, email accounts, call records, and social media exchanges.
Simultaneously, the UCO conducted searches at the offices of SERVINABAR 2000, one of the companies reportedly benefiting from the disputed public contracts.
This company was involved in a project awarded in January 2024 for the duplication of the Belate tunnel, valued at €76 million, contracted to a consortium that includes Acciona and Osés Construcciones.
Scrutiny of SERVINABAR has intensified due to two complaints regarding its contract awards, leading the UCO to determine a possible connection to the broader investigations concerning Ábalos.
This situation further implicates Santos Cerdán, the current number three of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), amid suspicions that he may have acted as an intermediary for the allegedly rigged awards.
As investigators delve into these allegations, attention is also oriented towards a forthcoming report from the UCO concerning communications between García and senior government officials, including members of the PSOE executive, as the inquiry unfolds.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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