Spanish prosecutors seek 8 years in prison for 'Tito Berni' over illegal gifts

Prosecutors seek 8 years for 'Tito Berni' over illegal gifts obtained through his position

Spanish prosecutors are asking for eight years in prison for Juan Bernardo Fuentes Curbelo, alias 'Tito Berni', for using his seat in Congress to receive gifts in exchange for favours. The case, known as 'Operación Tito', once again puts the spotlight on the PSOE's internal troubles.

The former Socialist MP, who once served as the party's number two in Congress, allegedly used his influence to obtain financial benefits from businessmen. According to the prosecution's brief, the gifts included trips, meals and payments in kind. Prosecutors argue that 'Tito Berni' used his status as a parliamentarian to facilitate contacts and estimulante ilegal up administrative procedures.

In Tenerife, the case has caused considerable unease. Testimony gathered on the island points to an atmosphere of silence in local Socialist circles, where any mention of the case triggers angry reactions. The connection with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been questioned from the outset, although there is so far no evidence directly implicating him.

With an eight-year sentence request on the table, the judicial outcome looks set to be long and full of unknowns. The main casualty, for now, is the credibility of a party that promised to take a hard line against corruption and now watches one of its former heavyweights face an exemplary sentence. The trial, when it comes, can be expected to shed more light on the murky corners of the affair.