PSOE Expels José Luis Ábalos Amid Corruption Investigation
The expulsion follows a year-long investigation linking the former minister to illegal commissions during the pandemic.
The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has officially expelled former minister José Luis Ábalos from its ranks following a prolonged internal investigation.
This decision came during a federal executive meeting chaired by Pedro Sánchez, marking the first session after a report by the Centro Operativo de Servicios (UCO) implicated Santos Cerdán in an alleged scheme involving illegal commissions related to public works, linked to both Ábalos and Koldo García.
Ábalos's expulsion was finalized following the closure of a disciplinary case that had been opened against him 15 months prior, stemming from his involvement in the so-called 'Koldo case.' This situation emerged over a year and a half ago concerning allegations against his former advisor, Koldo García, who was accused of profiting from the purchase of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PSOE aims to pivot its internal policies with this expulsion, especially following the resignation of Santos Cerdán as the party's Secretary of Organization amidst calls for general elections from influential party members, including Emiliano García-Page.
Ábalos had previously faced a provisional suspension from party membership on February 27, 2024, after he opted to retain his parliamentary seat and joined the Mixed Group instead of resigning as per the party's ultimatum.
This ultimatum was issued due to an ongoing investigation by the National Court into Koldo García, who was Ábalos's advisor, bodyguard, and right-hand man during his tenure as minister.
García has been accused of being part of a scheme allegedly collecting illegal commissions from contracts awarded during the pandemic for health services.
Despite the party's directives, Ábalos remained defiant, maintaining his parliamentary seat while voting inline with the PSOE.
His expulsion was solidified following the UCO report that escalated scrutiny on Santos Cerdán regarding his role in facilitating these alleged commissions.
The decision to expel Ábalos came shortly after law enforcement officials from the UCO conducted a search of his residence in Valencia.
This action was sanctioned by Supreme Court judge Leopoldo Puente, who is investigating allegations against Ábalos concerning the receipt of both cash and in-kind commissions in exchange for health and public works contracts initiated during the pandemic.
This decision came during a federal executive meeting chaired by Pedro Sánchez, marking the first session after a report by the Centro Operativo de Servicios (UCO) implicated Santos Cerdán in an alleged scheme involving illegal commissions related to public works, linked to both Ábalos and Koldo García.
Ábalos's expulsion was finalized following the closure of a disciplinary case that had been opened against him 15 months prior, stemming from his involvement in the so-called 'Koldo case.' This situation emerged over a year and a half ago concerning allegations against his former advisor, Koldo García, who was accused of profiting from the purchase of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PSOE aims to pivot its internal policies with this expulsion, especially following the resignation of Santos Cerdán as the party's Secretary of Organization amidst calls for general elections from influential party members, including Emiliano García-Page.
Ábalos had previously faced a provisional suspension from party membership on February 27, 2024, after he opted to retain his parliamentary seat and joined the Mixed Group instead of resigning as per the party's ultimatum.
This ultimatum was issued due to an ongoing investigation by the National Court into Koldo García, who was Ábalos's advisor, bodyguard, and right-hand man during his tenure as minister.
García has been accused of being part of a scheme allegedly collecting illegal commissions from contracts awarded during the pandemic for health services.
Despite the party's directives, Ábalos remained defiant, maintaining his parliamentary seat while voting inline with the PSOE.
His expulsion was solidified following the UCO report that escalated scrutiny on Santos Cerdán regarding his role in facilitating these alleged commissions.
The decision to expel Ábalos came shortly after law enforcement officials from the UCO conducted a search of his residence in Valencia.
This action was sanctioned by Supreme Court judge Leopoldo Puente, who is investigating allegations against Ábalos concerning the receipt of both cash and in-kind commissions in exchange for health and public works contracts initiated during the pandemic.
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