3% commission scandal reaches Spain's finance minister Montero
A witness claims the Spanish Treasury demanded a 3% commission for a cousin of María Jesús Montero in the sale of a public building. The SEPI investigation continues.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The 3% commission scandal touching Montero: witness says the Treasury asked for money for a "cousin"
How much does it cost to buy a public building? According to a real estate intermediary, an extra 3% commission for the "cousin" of the then finance minister, María Jesús Montero. THE OBJECTIVE's exclusive interview adds a new chapter to the investigation into alleged kickbacks in the sale of SEPI properties.
The businessman, who was interested in buying a building on María de Molina street in Madrid, claims he was demanded a 3% commission from the Treasury intended for a relative of Montero. "It's for a cousin of mine" was reportedly the justification. The revelation comes amid the incivil case against Spain's state holding company SEPI, where irregular commissions to government officials are already being investigated. The parallels with the well-known "3%" affair from the Pujol era are inevitable, although in this case the beneficiary would be someone closer to the former deputy prime minister.
The question that remains: was Montero aware of these practices while running the Treasury? The official silence and the lack of firm convictions leave the answer in the hands of the courts. Meanwhile, the intermediary's colorful language —"cousin" included— has already become part of the lore of Spanish corruption.
How much does it cost to buy a public building? According to a real estate intermediary, an extra 3% commission for the "cousin" of the then finance minister, María Jesús Montero. THE OBJECTIVE's exclusive interview adds a new chapter to the investigation into alleged kickbacks in the sale of SEPI properties.
The businessman, who was interested in buying a building on María de Molina street in Madrid, claims he was demanded a 3% commission from the Treasury intended for a relative of Montero. "It's for a cousin of mine" was reportedly the justification. The revelation comes amid the incivil case against Spain's state holding company SEPI, where irregular commissions to government officials are already being investigated. The parallels with the well-known "3%" affair from the Pujol era are inevitable, although in this case the beneficiary would be someone closer to the former deputy prime minister.
The question that remains: was Montero aware of these practices while running the Treasury? The official silence and the lack of firm convictions leave the answer in the hands of the courts. Meanwhile, the intermediary's colorful language —"cousin" included— has already become part of the lore of Spanish corruption.
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (11 replies).
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