https://static.euronews.com/articles/stories/09/32/49/53/1536x864_cmsv2_6d04830c-485b-59a2-a146-5a80c9a633a4-9324953.jpg

UCO Report Sheds Light on Acciona’s Connection to PSOE Corruption Scheme





Corruption Investigation

A document from Spain’s top anti-corruption agency, known as the UCO (Central Operational Unit of the Guardia Civil), has identified infrastructure behemoth Acciona as central to an extensive political graft network purportedly orchestrated by senior officials of the Socialist Party (PSOE). The authorities claim that the company disbursed large sums in unlawful commissions to obtain significant government contracts. These payments were reportedly routed through political figures closely associated with former minister José Luis Ábalos and the party’s ex-Organization Secretary, Santos Cerdán.


More than €600,000 in Unlawful Payments

The UCO report outlines a series of payments amounting to a minimum of €620,000 related to certain governmental contracts granted to Acciona. These financial transactions were said to be organized via intermediaries connected to Ábalos and his close collaborator Koldo García, with the entire scheme managed and orchestrated by Santos Cerdán.

Researchers found clues about an extra €450,000 in pending kickbacks linked to three more public agreements, indicating that the suspected corruption ring was not limited to a single instance but was continuing, despite initial warnings of inconsistencies emerging.

Agreements Designed to Benefit Acciona

The agreements under discussion encompass significant infrastructure endeavors from 2018 to 2021, including road construction, railway enhancements, and city transit networks, mainly in areas led by the PSOE. As per the UCO’s findings, these bids lacked genuine competition and were tailored with specific criteria that essentially barred other contenders, guaranteeing Acciona’s victory.

The document describes the proceedings as being a part of a “flawlessly organized framework” where political influence was leveraged to manipulate the bidding procedure in return for monetary bribes.

The Key Role of Santos Cerdán

One significant aspect of the UCO investigation is the involvement assigned to Santos Cerdán. The report claims that Cerdán not only was aware of the corruption operation but also oversaw the coordination and allocation of payments. Documented conversations and evidence highlight him as the key political person organizing the connection between corporate interests and top-tier political power.

As reported by researchers, Cerdán was responsible for managing discussions, determining shares, and serving as the intermediary between the grantors and those benefiting from the arrangement.

Organizational Quietude and Internal Evaluations

Acciona has begun an internal investigation, making a public effort to separate itself from any misconduct. An ex-executive, reportedly connected to the plan, has already departed from the firm. While Acciona denies knowledge of any misconduct, the UCO report indicates the opposite, depicting a scenario where the company either engaged in or ignored unethical behavior.

Although the allegations are serious, the government has not issued any formal comment. Within the PSOE, the situation has become a sensitive issue, particularly following recent prominent resignations prompted by earlier stages of the corruption inquiry.

The UCO’s findings make it clear: Acciona was purportedly involved in an extensive politically driven scheme aimed at obtaining bribes in return for public contracts worth millions of euros. Should this be validated, the case would uncover a profound corruption network embedded not only among party officials but also within the entities accountable for the administration of public funds.

This issue has transcended internal party misconduct, potentially becoming a national-level scandal. The public is now watching to see if the judiciary and political institutions are determined to ensure full accountability, regardless of the investigation’s reach.

By Rosena Jones

You May Also Like