Prosecutors seek trial for Pardo de Vera and 12 others

Anti-corruption prosecutors have asked Audiencia Nacional judge Ismael Moreno to end his inquiry into 13 people and one company. That step would move this part of the case towards trial.

Former Adif president Isabel Pardo de Vera is among the 13. Prosecutors claim she used her influence to help the former partner of ex-minister José Luis Ábalos get paid roles at two state firms.

The filing came after Moreno asked the parties which cases should go forward and which should be dropped. The judge must now make his own decision. The request is not a trial order or a finding of guilt.

The claim about the public jobs

Prosecutors say Ábalos used his post and asked his adviser, Koldo García, to pass on his wish that his former partner be hired. They claim Pardo de Vera then gave key help with a job at Ineco.

When that contract ended, the woman was hired by Tragsatec within days. Prosecutors say Pardo de Vera and a former Adif director chose the second firm. They also claim the woman knew she was being paid without doing work.

The State Legal Service wants Pardo de Vera, the former partner and two other people to face trial. It acts for Ineco and Tragsatec. Its request cites alleged misuse of public funds and influence peddling.

Prosecutors also want the former Adif director to remain in the case. They ask for about 12 other people to be removed because they see no crime or not enough grounds to proceed.

The rest of the case

The filing covers matters left outside an earlier Supreme Court trial. That court convicted Ábalos, García and businessman Víctor de Aldama. Aldama’s prison term was put on hold after he helped the inquiry.

This new request also names García and Aldama. Prosecutors allege that García used his role to help contracts for face masks and PCR tests. They say Aldama paid him €10,000 a month to keep access to the Transport Ministry.

Another claim says Aldama paid a Guardia Civil officer for secure phones. Prosecutors also accuse him of moving face-mask fees through two firms to avoid tax on his 2020 income.

The company Soluciones de Gestión is included as a legal person. Prosecutors want it to answer an alleged tax fraud claim for 2020. In all, the filing lists six kinds of alleged crime. They include bribery, influence peddling, money laundering and tax fraud.

The State Legal Service and a public prosecution have backed the call for another trial. Moreno must first issue a formal order to close this inquiry and set out who stays in the case. The parties would then state the terms they seek.

A separate inquiry into alleged bribes linked to public works is still open. It is not covered by this request.

Sources: La Vanguardia, El Mundo, ABC and Europa Press.