Ayuso's Partner Faces Legal Scrutiny Over Controversial Business Dealings
Alberto González Amador, partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, recently made headlines after it was revealed that he paid half a million euros for a company owned by the wife of a key executive at Quirón. This company, named Círculo Belleza SL, had no employees and was barely operational, reporting annual revenues of less than 30,000 euros.
The acquisition occurred in late 2020, shortly after González Amador reportedly earned nearly two million in commissions for brokering mask sales on behalf of Mape, a Galician firm managed by the same Quirón executive, Fernando Camino. The implications of this financial exchange are raising eyebrows, especially as accusations arise from the PSOE and Más Madrid parties, who are calling for further investigation into whether this transaction was a form of compensation for the couple's assistance in the lucrative mask deals.
The deal was completed for €499,836 on December 4, 2020, and at the time, Círculo Belleza SL had only earned €29,745 and €31,000 in the preceding two years. This lack of substantive financial activity begs the question: Why such a high price for a virtually inactive company?
González Amador claimed in his defense to the Tax Agency that this acquisition was a strategic move to establish connections with pharmacies, as Círculo Belleza SL allegedly had ties with MAPE to implement COVID safety protocols. However, the Tax Agency characterized this company as merely a facade to facilitate fraudulent activities against the tax authorities.
Following the acquisition, the business was renamed Masterman & Whitaker Medical Supplies and Health Process Engineering SL. Just a year later, Maxwell sold its shares in this newly rebranded company for a mere €3,300, indicating a significant devaluation after the high initial purchase price.
The PSOE and Más Madrid have urged the investigating judge to pursue further inquiries into the legitimacy of this business transaction, suspecting it may reveal significant tax evasion or related financial crimes. Notably, Círculo Belleza had a history of minimal revenue prior to its sale, and concerns have been raised regarding the relationship between the partners and Quirón, especially given Ayuso's high-profile role in the Madrid government.
The implications of these findings extend beyond mere financial misconduct; allegations of corruption in business dealings and potential falsification of documents have also surfaced. The investigation continues to gather momentum, with lawmakers arguing that these dealings represent not only personal corruption but a broader concern about ethical governance in Madrid.
In addition, links between González Amador and Fernando Camino suggest a long-standing relationship dating back at least a decade. Previously, both worked in the mutual insurance sector before the former opened doors in the health consultancy field, propelling them into a network of lucrative medical contracts amid the pandemic.
González Amador's legal team is under increasing pressure as they navigate a growing number of accusations, including five new potential charges, since the Tax Agency has detected several discrepancies that could escalate the investigation into further serious offenses.
Furthermore, the couple's luxurious lifestyle, in addition to their questionable business practices, raises ethical concerns about the privileges afforded to high-ranking officials in Spain. Both Ayuso and González Amador are reported to occupy lavish properties purchased under dubious circumstances shortly after the mask deals, further complicating their public image.
As legal battles loom and investigators probe deeper into these allegations, the political stability of Ayuso’s administration could be at risk. The unfolding drama is not only a test of individual accountability but also a scrutiny of the governance structures that allow such dubious transactions to occur in the first place.
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