A Spanish judge has expanded the investigation into the Plus Ultra case to include former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's wife and associates. The inquiry focuses on alleged financial irregularities and potential influence peddling related to the 2020 rescue of Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas, a Spanish airline that received a €53 million bailout during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The judge, José Luis Calama, authorized the Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) to examine 57 bank accounts linked to Zapatero, his close associates—including his daughters, Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa, and his secretary, Gertrudis Alcázar—and 13 companies involved in the case. The investigation aims to trace financial movements, including transfers totaling €2.6 million received by Zapatero between 2020 and 2025, purportedly for professional services. Notably, €200,000 of these funds are suspected to be linked to illicit influence in Bolivia on behalf of a Peruvian company. Additionally, the purchase of properties in Madrid by Zapatero and Alcázar is under scrutiny due to concerns over their financial justification.
Zapatero has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he did not influence the bailout decision and that the funds received were for legitimate consulting services. He also stated that the properties were personal gifts and that he had declared all his income appropriately.
The investigation has raised significant questions about the transparency and integrity of the bailout process, as well as the potential misuse of political influence for personal gain. The outcomes of this inquiry could have broader implications for political accountability and the oversight of public funds in Spain.