Ábalos' Third Supreme Court Appearance: Denials and Manipulated Evidence Claims

In a dramatic third appearance at the Supreme Court, former transport minister José Luis Ábalos once again denied any wrongdoing in the ongoing judicial investigation into alleged rigging schemes for public works contracts. Throughout his testimony, Ábalos consistently distanced himself from the accusations, asserting that he had no part in the alleged manipulation of contracts and questioning the authenticity of recorded conversations that supposedly involve him in the illicit dealings. During the session, Judge Leopoldo Puente warned Ábalos of the extensive documentation and recordings in possession of the Civil Guard. These recordings, seized from his former personal advisor Koldo García, contain purported evidence of Ábalos' involvement in a scheme designed to exchange contracts for kickbacks. Ábalos claimed that he was uncertain about the recordings' completeness, stating, 'I don't know if all the recordings in the report are there.' In response, Judge Puente reassured him that all treated recordings were accounted for in the files presented. The Civil Guard's investigation has uncovered only a fraction of the potential evidence, according to sources close to the case. It is reported that of the many recordings made, only eight have been used against Ábalos and several focus on conversations involving Santos Cerdán, his successor at the Organization Secretariat of the Socialist Party (PSOE). Koldo García, who has now been detained for 16 months, refused to testify during the proceedings, leaving significant gaps in the case against him. His silence echoes the tension surrounding the investigation as the focus shifts to Santos Cerdán, who is scheduled to give testimony next week. Cerdán has emerged as a key figure in the investigation, being described as a priority for the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the Civil Guard. Ahead of his court appearance, Ábalos had suggested that he was willing to cooperate with the Justice System. However, during the hearing, it became apparent that his cooperation was limited to answering only a few questions and firmly rejecting any implication of wrongdoing. His legal counsel indicated that Ábalos was not fully prepared for the scrutiny he faced, suggesting that the situation has sparked a great deal of turmoil in his life since the UCO report was leaked. The most critical aspect of the UCO report includes audio recordings suggesting that Ábalos, García, and Cerdán were engaged in discussions regarding the allocation of public works contracts. When pressed by the judge about the content of these recordings, Ábalos took an unusual stance. He expressed disbelief regarding his identity on the tapes, insisting, 'It's not my voice,' and further speculated that the audio could have been manipulated. These assertions appear to be a desperate attempt to undermine the evidence compiled against him. The Civil Guard's findings indicate 'very consistent indications' of illicit financial gains amidst evidence suggesting the awarding of contracts to third parties was compromised. Despite the growing pressure, Ábalos refrained from placing blame on García, his former advisor, or Cerdán, who he claimed had little actual influence within the ministry. He acknowledged that Cerdán had proposed some high-level appointments but characterized the relationship as part of standard administrative practice. The ongoing investigation surrounding the alleged corruption scheme presents a troubling portrait of political maneuvering and deceit. With both Ábalos and García maintaining their innocence while dodging accountability, the unveiling of new evidence remains a critical prospect in the coming weeks. The upcoming testimony of Santos Cerdán will undoubtedly further complicate the narrative and could potentially shift the tides of the case. As the case unfolds, the judicial proceedings highlight the delicate balance between political power and accountability, raising questions about transparency and ethical conduct within public office. The implications of this investigation are vast, with the potential to reshape the political landscape as it continues to capture public interest. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2