Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is navigating a critical week as his wife, Begoña Gómez, faces charges of embezzlement and influence peddling, while former PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is investigated for alleged corruption related to an airline bailout. Sánchez's brother is also on trial, and other former aides face kickback accusations.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces a critical week as his wife, Begoña Gómez, and former PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero are investigated for alleged influence peddling and corruption. Gómez faces charges including embezzlement and misappropriation of funds, while Zapatero is probed over a state airline bailout and potential tax fraud.
Spanish authorities searched the office of former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and his daughters' marketing agency as part of an investigation into alleged influence peddling related to the 2021 Plus Ultra airline bailout. Investigators are examining communications and financial transactions.
Spanish police raided the offices of former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and his daughters' marketing agency as part of an investigation into alleged influence peddling related to the 2021 rescue of the airline Plus Ultra. Authorities are examining communications and financial transactions.
Spanish police requested to search ex-President Zapatero's home, suspecting it was a key location for sensitive dealings in an influence peddling case. The judge denied the request, citing extensive media coverage that could have led to evidence removal.
Former Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is being investigated for alleged influence peddling. Authorities suspect he used his home for 'sensitive matters' and received shipments related to the alleged scheme, which involved the controversial rescue of Plus Ultra airline.
A Spanish judge has charged former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero with leading an influence peddling organization. His daughters' company, What The Fav, is alleged to be a "redistribution center" for illicit payments, receiving over half its income from firms linked to the criminal plot, including consultancy Análisis Relevante.
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is under investigation for alleged organized crime and influence peddling related to the 53 million euro bailout of airline Plus Ultra. A judge suspects Zapatero was at the center of a scheme to illicitly influence authorities for economic gain.
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is under investigation for allegedly leading an influence peddling network. The case, "Caso Plus Ultra," links him to Venezuelan businessmen and politicians, with alleged transfers of funds through shell companies and fake invoices.
A Spanish judge has placed former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero at the head of an organized structure for influence peddling. The scheme allegedly channeled illegal commissions and disguised illicit money, involving operations in Venezuela, China, and the UAE, notably the controversial €53 million rescue of Plus Ultra airline.
Messages suggest former Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero acted as a "window" for Venezuelan opposition figures to communicate with the "chavismo" regime, allegedly peddling influence and controlling who spoke on his behalf.
María Sonsoles Espinosa Díaz, wife of former Spanish PM Zapatero, shared a bank account that received €1.5M from companies linked to the Plus Ultra influence peddling case. Judge Calama ordered funds blocked, considering Zapatero the ringleader.
The article explores the distinction between legitimate lobbying and illegal influence peddling, particularly in Spain, which lacks specific state regulation. It contrasts lobbying as presenting verifiable arguments with influence peddling as selling opaque access, citing the recent indictment of former PM Zapatero in the Plus Ultra case as an example of the latter.
A Spanish court is investigating former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for alleged influence peddling related to a 53 million euro government bailout of Plus Ultra airline in 2021. Zapatero, who left office in 2011, denies any wrongdoing.
Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is under investigation for alleged influence peddling in the Plus Ultra airline bailout case. He is the first former PM to be formally investigated since Spain's return to democracy.
Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has been summoned to testify in an investigation into a €53 million emergency loan granted to the airline Plus Ultra. The probe adds pressure on current PM Pedro Sanchez.
