Plus Ultra: the 1% deal dragging in Zapatero's circle
Plus Ultra's chairman admitted in court that paying 1% of the bailout to Zapatero's circle was agreed. The key witness's testimony is approaching.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Plus Ultra: the 1% bailout cut that splashes onto Zapatero's circle
The chairman of airline Plus Ultra has admitted in court that an agreement was made to pay 1% of the 53 million euro bailout to the circle of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The revelation, first reported by El Confidencial, comes on the eve of the testimony of a key witness, known in forums as "Julito", who could detail where the funds went.
Investigations suggest the 1% – around 530,000 euros – was channelled through intermediaries linked to the former leader's circle. According to the executive's own statement, the payment was agreed as a condition for granting the bailout. If confirmed, the case would open a new avenue of political and judicial accountability.
The witness's testimony, scheduled for 21 July, comes after other implicated parties refused to trinc the "pull an Ábalos" strategy (a reference to the former minister who avoided being charged). Legal sources consulted say the cooperator has chosen to confess in exchange for procedural benefits.
The Plus Ultra case thus adds a new chapter to the long list of scandals splashing the old Socialist leadership. Meanwhile, public opinion watches in bewilderment a soap opera where cash in rubbish bags and commission deals seem the norm, not the exception.
The chairman of airline Plus Ultra has admitted in court that an agreement was made to pay 1% of the 53 million euro bailout to the circle of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The revelation, first reported by El Confidencial, comes on the eve of the testimony of a key witness, known in forums as "Julito", who could detail where the funds went.
Investigations suggest the 1% – around 530,000 euros – was channelled through intermediaries linked to the former leader's circle. According to the executive's own statement, the payment was agreed as a condition for granting the bailout. If confirmed, the case would open a new avenue of political and judicial accountability.
The witness's testimony, scheduled for 21 July, comes after other implicated parties refused to trinc the "pull an Ábalos" strategy (a reference to the former minister who avoided being charged). Legal sources consulted say the cooperator has chosen to confess in exchange for procedural benefits.
The Plus Ultra case thus adds a new chapter to the long list of scandals splashing the old Socialist leadership. Meanwhile, public opinion watches in bewilderment a soap opera where cash in rubbish bags and commission deals seem the norm, not the exception.
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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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