Koldo and Pardo de Vera: the scandal engulfing Spain's Adif goes beyond the bribes

Koldo and Pardo de Vera: the alleged exchange of favours shaking Spain's 'face mask scheme' case

The relationship between José Luis Ábalos's former adviser and the former chairwoman of Adif, Spain's state railway infrastructure manager, has become a new focus of speculation in the middle of the oral hearing. Images of Koldo García laughing out loud in the courtroom have rekindled suspicions about the ties linking both of them to the awarding of public contracts.

According to various reports circulating in recent days, Ismael Pardo de Vera would have secured the chairmanship of Adif in 2020 thanks to his connection with Koldo, who for years was Ábalos's trusted man. The scheme, under investigation for alleged illegal kickbacks in the purchase of medical supplies during the pandemic, has been tainted by comments and videos showing a familiarity that many consider improper between a defendant and a former executive of a public company.

The laughing video and the 'chorizo contract' windfall

A clip circulated on social media shows Koldo and Ábalos laughing during testimony. Some have interpreted the scene as mockery of the judicial process. "They treat it as a joke," complain critical voices, who see it as a display of impunity. Meanwhile, others argue the reaction was due to a private remark and has no legal relevance. What is certain is that the image has gone around the country and feeds the perception that the trial does not worry them.

Appointments under suspicion and a lineage of power

Pardo de Vera not only belongs to a family with a long history of ties to power — "since the twelfth century," according to some sources — but his appointment to head the railway manager came barely a few months after Koldo acted as a go-between at the Ministry of Transport. The coincidence, together with allegations that "Koldo was paid, but with public money," has led the opposition to demand explanations about selection criteria at state-owned companies.

The defence: a smear campaign

From the former executive's circle, any irregularity is denied and the controversy is attributed to a manoeuvre to divert attention from the central facts of the Koldo case, which include alleged bribes in exchange for contracts. The fact that Pardo de Vera's husband is a millionaire — as has been reported — undermines the sensual-favour theory, since she would not need to rise that way.

A trial with an unknown destination

Pending the verdict, the Koldo case keeps generating more noise than certainty. What began as an investigation into kickbacks on face masks has uncovered an ecosystem of personal and business relationships that calls into question the management of public affairs. The image of two men laughing in a courtroom while their future is being decided is perhaps the most graphic summary of how justice in Spain is perceived from the outside: a circus where the powerful never lose their smile.