Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is appearing before a judge in Madrid regarding his alleged role in the Plus Ultra airline bailout and links to jewelry found in his office. He is under investigation for influence peddling, money laundering, tax fraud, and dealing in contraband.
A police report suggests Julio Martínez Martínez, a friend of former Spanish PM Zapatero, had privileged information about the Plus Ultra airline bailout before its official approval. He congratulated the airline's owner days before the decision, and investigators noted his comments about SEPI not approving celebratory expenses for a meal attended by the company's CFO.
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.
Spain's National Court charged former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero with money laundering and influence peddling related to a €53 million airline bailout. He is ordered to testify on June 2. The indictment is unprecedented for a former head of government.
