UCO links Vicente Fernández to illegal commissions in Correos public contracts
The latest UCO report reveals that the former SEPI president received payments from the Seville law firm SdP Carrillo for adjudications by the state-owned company Correos. The report has been incorporated into the Leire Díez case being investigated by judge Santiago Pedraz.
UCO links Vicente Fernández to illegal commissions in Correos public contracts
The latest report sent by the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard to judge Santiago Pedraz, who is hearing the Leire Díez case, states that Vicente Fernández Guerrero, who presided over the State Industrial Participations Company (SEPI) following his period as general comptroller of the Andalusian Regional Government, received irregular payments stemming from public contracts that the state-owned company Correos awarded to the Seville legal firm SdP Carrillo y Abogados.
According to ABC, police documentation describes a scheme whereby the law firm invoiced Correos for legal services and subsequently distributed a portion of those revenues with Fernández. In one of the intercepted emails, the lawyer himself asks the former SEPI president: "What percentage seems right to you?", which would suggest the existence of a prior agreement to share profits.
The National Court judge had already taken a statement from the former senior official in his capacity as a person under investigation in March. During that hearing, Fernández denied having influenced the awarding of contracts in favour of the law firm, although he admitted having recommended the firm. However, the new UCO report provides messages and transfers which, according to investigators, undermine that version.
The Leire Díez case is investigating a network of alleged corruption in the contracting of legal services by public entities. The investigation indicates that Fernández used his position at SEPI—and previously his influence in the Andalusian administration—to channel business towards the Seville law firm in exchange for economic compensation.
Source: ABC