Isabel Pardo de Vera Testifies Before Senate Amid Corruption Allegations
The former president of Adif faces parliamentary scrutiny as judicial investigations proceed.
Isabel Pardo de Vera, the former president of Adif, the Spanish state-owned railway infrastructure administrator, appeared before a Senate investigative committee on Thursday, following accusations of misappropriation and influence peddling.
This marked her second appearance before the committee, requested by the Popular Party (PP), in a span of one year, but notably, she attended as an indicted individual.
Her judicial testimony regarding her alleged involvement in the hiring of Jésica R., former partner of Socialist politician José Luis Ábalos, had been scheduled for the same day but was postponed.
Throughout her Senate appearance, Pardo de Vera exercised her legal right to remain silent, following recommendations from her legal counsel, as she is currently being investigated.
Nevertheless, she did speak briefly during exchanges with several senators, most prominently with PP Senator Alejo Miranda.
Miranda focused his questioning on her perceived silence and the implications surrounding her case, tying it to broader accusations of nepotism within the PSOE party.
Miranda’s initial inquiry specifically referenced Leire Díaz, a former Socialist party member allegedly connected to the party’s internal operations.
His questioning raised concerns about whether Pardo de Vera's silence was influenced by external pressures from individuals in the PSOE, contrasting it with her previously assertive stance during her prior testimony before the committee.
The senator detailed various allegations against Pardo de Vera, including her purported involvement in the irregular hiring of Jésica R., whom he referred to with derogatory terms.
This hiring is currently under investigation, with the Supreme Court's judge, Leopoldo Puente, stating that there are significant indications suggesting Pardo de Vera's substantial participation in the “irregular and whimsical” recruitment processes involving public companies such as Ineco and Tragsatec.
Additionally, Miranda addressed accusations regarding Pardo de Vera’s role in awarding contracts for the purchase of masks to a company named Soluciones de Gestión during the COVID-19 pandemic, although Pardo de Vera is not currently implicated in this particular matter.
Throughout the interrogation, Pardo de Vera displayed signs of disapproval towards the accusations raised by Miranda, occasionally shaking her head or gesturing emphatically in response to specific allegations.
The senator concluded his questioning by asserting that the hiring of Jésica R. represented a clear case of nepotism and suggested that Pardo de Vera was complicit in these actions.
He concluded with a pointed remark about her current status among the indicted individuals, which prompted audible indignation from the Socialist senators present.
Members of the PSOE expressed their frustration over the tone and direction of the PP's inquiries, emphasizing that the conclusions drawn by the PP regarding the Koldo case appear predetermined.
Senator José Francisco Hila stressed the necessity of conducting investigations without descending into personal vendettas.
This marked her second appearance before the committee, requested by the Popular Party (PP), in a span of one year, but notably, she attended as an indicted individual.
Her judicial testimony regarding her alleged involvement in the hiring of Jésica R., former partner of Socialist politician José Luis Ábalos, had been scheduled for the same day but was postponed.
Throughout her Senate appearance, Pardo de Vera exercised her legal right to remain silent, following recommendations from her legal counsel, as she is currently being investigated.
Nevertheless, she did speak briefly during exchanges with several senators, most prominently with PP Senator Alejo Miranda.
Miranda focused his questioning on her perceived silence and the implications surrounding her case, tying it to broader accusations of nepotism within the PSOE party.
Miranda’s initial inquiry specifically referenced Leire Díaz, a former Socialist party member allegedly connected to the party’s internal operations.
His questioning raised concerns about whether Pardo de Vera's silence was influenced by external pressures from individuals in the PSOE, contrasting it with her previously assertive stance during her prior testimony before the committee.
The senator detailed various allegations against Pardo de Vera, including her purported involvement in the irregular hiring of Jésica R., whom he referred to with derogatory terms.
This hiring is currently under investigation, with the Supreme Court's judge, Leopoldo Puente, stating that there are significant indications suggesting Pardo de Vera's substantial participation in the “irregular and whimsical” recruitment processes involving public companies such as Ineco and Tragsatec.
Additionally, Miranda addressed accusations regarding Pardo de Vera’s role in awarding contracts for the purchase of masks to a company named Soluciones de Gestión during the COVID-19 pandemic, although Pardo de Vera is not currently implicated in this particular matter.
Throughout the interrogation, Pardo de Vera displayed signs of disapproval towards the accusations raised by Miranda, occasionally shaking her head or gesturing emphatically in response to specific allegations.
The senator concluded his questioning by asserting that the hiring of Jésica R. represented a clear case of nepotism and suggested that Pardo de Vera was complicit in these actions.
He concluded with a pointed remark about her current status among the indicted individuals, which prompted audible indignation from the Socialist senators present.
Members of the PSOE expressed their frustration over the tone and direction of the PP's inquiries, emphasizing that the conclusions drawn by the PP regarding the Koldo case appear predetermined.
Senator José Francisco Hila stressed the necessity of conducting investigations without descending into personal vendettas.
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Translated by AI
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