Jésica Rodríguez Claims Ex-Minister Paid Expenses After Breakup

Jésica Rodríguez, the former partner of former Spanish Minister José Luis Ábalos, has admitted to the Supreme Court that she was hired by two public companies without performing any professional duties. In her testimony, Rodríguez stated that she followed the instructions provided to her by Ábalos and Koldo García, a former advisor to the minister.

The admissions were made during proceedings in the Supreme Court regarding a corruption case involving Ábalos and García. Rodríguez acknowledged that she was on the payroll of Ineco and Tragsatec, both of which are public entities managed by the Spanish Ministry of Transport.

Public Employment Without Work

Regarding her time at Ineco, Rodríguez admitted she was contracted from March 2019 until February 2021. Despite being officially employed, she confessed that she did not carry out any functions and only picked up a laptop computer during her tenure.

During this period, Rodríguez received a monthly salary of 1,060 euros. This resulted in more than 30,000 euros of public funds being paid to her over nearly two years for work that was not performed. She told the court, I said what José and Koldo had indicated to me.

The company Ineco has since acknowledged that it sanctioned 12 employees for labor absenteeism over the last four years. However, the entity confirmed that Rodríguez was not among those sanctioned. In 2020, when the management of Ineco and ADIF—another transport infrastructure entity—prepared lists of employees to be dismissed to reduce costs and eliminate temporary staff, Rodríguez’s name was not included for termination despite her lack of attendance.

In a response to the Transparency Portal, Ineco stated it could not provide specific data on the exact period Rodríguez worked for the entity, citing a Royal Decree on infractions and sanctions in the social order from August 2000, which requires labor documentation to be kept for only three years.

The Plaza de España Apartment

The court testimony also addressed the circumstances of a residence in Madrid’s Plaza de España, where Rodríguez lived from March 2019 to September 2021. Rodríguez testified that she was unaware of who was paying for the apartment.

She explained that if there were issues with the property, she was instructed to contact Luis Alberto Escolano, a partner of businessman Víctor de Aldama, or Koldo García. Rodríguez stated she entered the apartment through García.

Investigations by the UCO (Unidad Central Operativa) suggest that Víctor de Aldama was responsible for the monthly rent of 2,700 euros, paying through his partner as a perceived quid pro quo for Ábalos’ alleged mediation in his business affairs. Conversely, Koldo García had previously declared that the property was a company apartment where Rodríguez was permitted to stay, with payments made by Escolano and his brother, Joseba.

Financial Support and Legal Context

Beyond the public contracts and the housing arrangements, Rodríguez testified that José Luis Ábalos continued to cover her expenses even after their romantic relationship had ended.

The proceedings are part of a wider investigation into the activities of the Ministry of Transport under Ábalos’ leadership. The case examines the relationship between government officials and private contractors, specifically focusing on the roles of Koldo García and Víctor de Aldama in securing public contracts and the subsequent flow of funds.

Rodríguez appeared before the Supreme Court as a witness to clarify the nature of her employment at the two public companies and the financing of her living expenses during her time in Madrid.