PP party ‘ profited from corruption’

THE 2018 High Court ( AN) judgment in the Gürtel trial, which led to a motion of no confidence which brought down the Partido Popular ( PP) government of the time, has been ratified by the Supreme Court ( TS).

The verdict confirms that between 1999 and 2005 the PP profited from a business network led by Francisco Correa, in return for public contracts.

With help from ex-PP treasurer Luis Barcenas, the scheme paid bribes, issued fake invoices and hid the illegal origin and destination of its funds

It turned down a total of 42 appeals from the accused and the public prosecutor, and set sentences totalling 51 years in prison for 29 of the defendants.

They included exmayors, regional and local councillors and advisors for the PP.

The TS noted that the original ruling should not have referred to the party having hidden accounts ( known as a ‘ caja B’), as this was not one of the formal charges.

However the PP is still required to repay € 245,492 over election rallies in the Madrid region towns of Majadahonda and Pozuelo that were organised and paid for by Sr Correa’s companies.

Some sentences were increased slightly, as punishments for fraud and misuse of funds were applied separately, while others were reduced for factors such as having collaborated with the investigation, being acquitted on certain charges or jail terms being reconsidered.

Sr Correa’s sentence was only reduced by eight months to 51 years and that of Sr Barcenas from 33 years to 29, while his wife’s was cut from 15 to 12 years 11 months.

The couple also profited from schemes of their own, sometimes using PP funds, hiding their gains in Swiss bank accounts.

Exminister for health Ana Mato was fined € 27,857 for accepting gifts, trips and family events – such as birthday parties and communions for her children.

Her husband, exmayor of Pozuelo José Sepúlveda, was sentenced to 14 years, while the exmayor of Majadahonda was given 40 years.