Supreme Court Seeks Info on Ex-Girlfriend’s Hire
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supremo Investigates Contracts of Ábalos’ ex-Partner in Koldo Case
Table of Contents
- supremo Investigates Contracts of Ábalos’ ex-Partner in Koldo Case
- Q&A: supreme Court Investigates Contracts in Ábalos’ Koldo Case
- Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Koldo Case, and who is involved?
- Why is the Supreme Court investigating Jésica Rodríguez’s contracts?
- What specific information is the Supreme Court requesting from Ineco and Tragsatec?
- What documentation is Ineco specifically required to provide?
- What is the scope of the investigation into official trips taken by Ábalos and Rodríguez?
- What action is being taken regarding these official trips?
- Who are Aránzazu Granell and Javier Serrano, and what is their involvement in the case?
- What objections were raised by Ábalos and Koldo, and how did the magistrate respond?
- Summary of Key Figures and Their Roles
- Key Questions and Answers
The Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo – TS) has requested details from public companies Ineco and Tragsatec regarding the hiring of Jésica Rodríguez, the former partner of ex-Minister of Transport José Luis Ábalos.The investigation also extends to Óscar Puente, his successor, concerning official trips they took together. This action represents a new set of inquiries that includes summoning two new witnesses.
Supreme Court Focuses on Employment Details
Leopoldo Puente, the magistrate overseeing the Koldo case at the TS, referenced Jésica’s testimony from February 27, where she stated “gráficamente” that she “no hizo nada” during her two years at Ineco. According to her statement, Ábalos suggested she work there while finishing her university studies. She submitted her resume and was later called for an interview.
Similarly, the magistrate noted her statement regarding her six-month tenure at Tragsatec, where she also claimed she did not perform “actividad profesional alguna”. Consequently,Ineco and Tragsatec are required to provide details on how Rodríguez’s positions were advertised,the number of applicants,the selection process,and confirmation of whether she underwent a job interview and who conducted it.
The court also demands her employment contract, specifying the start and end dates, “en qué consistían las actividades profesionales encomendadas” to Rodríguez, and “quién era la persona que le encargaba los concretos trabajos a desarrollar y a la que de forma directa rindiera cuenta”.
Ineco Asked to Provide Documentation
Specifically, Ineco is instructed to provide all “documentación comprometida en el escrito que remitió a la Fiscalía Anticorrupción”. This includes daily work reports, time logs, and vacation requests, purportedly accounting for 3,684.23 hours of work.
Regarding Joseba García,brother of Koldo García,who allegedly supervised Rodríguez at Ineco,the magistrate stated that “en este momento” he sees no reason to request the same information about him,”sin perjuicio de que,tal y como observa el Ministerio Público,en atención a los resultados de la investigación seguida en esta causa especial,pudiera o no resultar procedente hacerlo en el futuro”.
Ábalos and Koldo Respond
the magistrate addressed objections from Ábalos and Koldo, who opposed the inquiries initiated by the accusing parties, unified under the legal direction of the PP.
Puente responded, “A juicio de este instructor, en modo alguno puede sostenerse (…) que se trate de unas diligencias de naturaleza prospectiva ni que excedan el objeto de la presente causa especial, en la medida en que se refieren a contratos celebrados con la Administración pública y aparecen vinculados, siempre en los términos indiciarios que resultan propios de este momento procesal, a varios de los investigados”.
He further added, “Por otro lado, tampoco alcanza a comprenderse la oposición de las defensas de los señores García y Ábalos a que dichas diligencias sean practicadas sobre la base de que la relación laboral efectiva, que tan rotundamente fue negada por la testigo, aparezca ya en la causa suficientemente justificada”.
Investigation into Official Trips
The investigation also covers official trips Jésica rodríguez took with Ábalos, as stated by her.She mentioned they typically took one trip per month, both domestically and internationally, with Ábalos or Koldo covering the expenses.
The accusing parties requested “el detalle y justificación,en su caso,de todos los gastos que traigan causa de los viajes realizados por Ábalos como ministro” and those made by Koldo from the Ministry of Transport.
Puente considers that “la diligencia interesada excede de forma notable” el objeto de las pesquisas, as he does not see “motivo bastante para sujetar a una suerte de auditoría global (…) la totalidad de los viajes oficiales efectuados por Ábalos durante el tiempo en el que fue titular del Ministerio de Transportes, con determinación y justificación de todos los gastos que pudieran haberse efectuado en ellos, ya resultaran imputables al propio ministro” and Koldo.
However, he deems it “pertinente” for the Ministry of Transport and Enduring Mobility to certify the number of official trips taken by Ábalos during his tenure, where Rodríguez may have accompanied him. He adds, “Igualmente, deberá expresarse, si hubiera constancia de ello, qué persona, personas o entidad pudieran haber satisfecho los gastos” generated by Rodríguez, addressing the current minister.
Money Delivery in Dominican Republic
Two new witnesses, Aránzazu Granell and Javier Serrano, are summoned for April 2. According to a report by the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, Granell allegedly delivered cash to Joseba García during two trips to the Dominican Republic in 2021.
Agents identify Serrano as a partner of Víctor de Aldama, the alleged facilitator of the scheme. He was arrested during UCO operations in February 2024.
The report indicates that Granell contacted Serrano two days before one of her meetings with Joseba García, asking how much she should give
Q&A: supreme Court Investigates Contracts in Ábalos’ Koldo Case
The Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo – TS) is delving deeper into the Koldo case, focusing on contracts and employment details connected to José Luis Ábalos, former Minister of Transport. This Q&A provides comprehensive data about the key aspects of the investigation.
Key Questions and Answers
What is the Koldo Case, and who is involved?
The Koldo case is an investigation into alleged corruption related to government contracts awarded during the COVID-19 pandemic.Key figures include:
- José Luis Ábalos: Former Minister of Transport.
- Koldo garcía: His aide and a key figure in the alleged scheme.
- Jésica rodríguez: Ábalos’s former partner, whose employment contracts are under scrutiny.
- Óscar Puente: Successor to Ábalos, also under investigation concerning official trips.
Why is the Supreme Court investigating Jésica Rodríguez’s contracts?
The Supreme court is investigating Jésica Rodríguez’s employment at public companies Ineco and Tragsatec due to concerns about the legitimacy of her roles. During testimony, she stated that she “no hizo nada” (did nothing) during her time at Ineco. The court seeks to determine whether she was genuinely employed or whether her positions were part of a broader scheme.
What specific information is the Supreme Court requesting from Ineco and Tragsatec?
The Supreme Court has requested detailed information regarding Jésica Rodríguez’s employment, including:
- How her positions were advertised: Seeking details on the job postings and recruitment process.
- Number of applicants: To understand the competitiveness of her application.
- Selection process: Steps taken in selecting Rodríguez.
- Confirmation of job interview: Whether she had an interview and who conducted it.
- employment contract details: Start and end dates, specific job responsibilities.
- Assigned tasks and supervisor: Details about her daily work and the person she reported to.
What documentation is Ineco specifically required to provide?
Ineco must provide all “documentación comprometida en el escrito que remitió a la Fiscalía Anticorrupción,” which includes:
- Daily work reports
- Time logs
- vacation requests
This documentation purportedly accounts for 3,684.23 hours of work.
What is the scope of the investigation into official trips taken by Ábalos and Rodríguez?
The investigation extends to official trips taken by Jésica Rodríguez with Ábalos. Rodríguez mentioned that they typically took one trip per month, both domestically and internationally, with expenses covered by Ábalos or Koldo. The accusing parties requested details and justification for all expenses related to these trips.However, the magistrate considers a full audit of all Ábalos’ trips to be excessive.
What action is being taken regarding these official trips?
The Ministry of Transport and Enduring Mobility is required to certify the number of official trips taken by Ábalos during his tenure where Rodríguez may have accompanied him. They must also indicate who covered Rodríguez’s expenses, if there is record of it.
Who are Aránzazu Granell and Javier Serrano, and what is their involvement in the case?
Aránzazu Granell and Javier Serrano are new witnesses summoned in the case:
- Aránzazu Granell: Allegedly delivered cash to Joseba García in the Dominican Republic in 2021.
- Javier Serrano: Identified as a partner of Víctor de Aldama,the alleged facilitator of the scheme.
What objections were raised by Ábalos and Koldo, and how did the magistrate respond?
Ábalos and Koldo objected to the inquiries initiated by the accusing parties (unified under the legal direction of the PP). However, Magistrate Puente responded that the inquiries were not exploratory and were within the scope of the case because they relate to contracts with the public governance and are linked to several of the individuals under investigation.
Summary of Key Figures and Their Roles
| Figure | role | Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| José Luis Ábalos | Former Minister of Transport | Central figure; contracts and expenses under scrutiny. |
| Koldo García | Ábalos’s aide | Allegedly involved in the scheme; expenses and contracts under scrutiny. |
| Jésica Rodríguez | Ábalos’s former partner | Employment contracts and official trips under investigation. |
| Óscar Puente | Current Minister of Transport | Investigation extends to official trips they took together. |
| Aránzazu Granell | Witness | allegedly delivered cash to Joseba García in the Dominican Republic. |
| Javier Serrano | Witness; Partner of Víctor de Aldama | Linked to the alleged facilitator of the scheme. |