Three new defendants in the 'Koldo case': Ábalos' ex-partner, the former adviser's brother and a former senior Adif official
Judge Ismael Moreno has summoned Jessica Rodríguez, Joseba García and Ignacio Zaldívar to testify on suspected charges of embezzlement and abuse of influence in relation to the hiring of the former minister's partner.
Three new defendants in the 'Koldo case': Ábalos' ex-partner, the former adviser's brother and a former senior Adif official
The judge of the Central Court of Investigation number 6 of the National Court has agreed to charge three more individuals within the judicial proceedings investigating a corruption scheme involving the former Minister of Transport. The hearing is scheduled for 20 July, following a request filed by prosecutors specialising in crimes against public administration.
Jessica Rodríguez, who had a romantic relationship with José Luis Ábalos, must explain how she obtained positions in two state-owned railway companies. Alongside her have been summoned Joseba García, a relative of former cabinet technical adviser Koldo García, and Ignacio Zaldívar, who directed the administrative management of the infrastructure management entity.
The judicial decision is based on the final conviction handed down by the criminal chamber of the high court against Ábalos himself. In that ruling, it is described how Rodríguez received remuneration from Ineco—more than 34,000 euros—despite not having carried out any actual duties. Later, Tragsatec paid her a further 9,500 euros. The judges determined that the politician was aware of these payments.
The factual account indicates that the woman received instructions from Koldo's circle to justify her presence in case of questions from supervisors, attributing her activity to Joseba García. The daily reports she submitted contained errors such as recording non-working days as working days, which prompted requests for clarification. When faced with such requests, Ábalos himself intervened with the top official at Adif to ensure the "problems" ceased.
Furthermore, it is recorded in the sentence that Rodríguez accompanied the then minister on numerous trips—at least a dozen—without company authorisation, and there is no evidence that she ever visited the company's facilities.
In late 2020, with the employment relationship at Ineco about to expire, contacts were activated to ensure her continued employment at another firm within the public railway holding. Zaldívar, upon establishing that an extension at the first entity was not viable, channelled the search towards Tragsatec. The change took place with just a 48-hour gap between her departure and her new appointment.
The public prosecution believes that the three new defendants could have been involved in an irregular placement scheme that falls under the criminal categories of embezzlement of public funds and abuse of influence.
Source: ABC
Source: ABC