Investigation Uncovers Allegations of Corruption in Spanish Finance Ministry

Óscar del Amo Galán remains in his role as Deputy Director General of Local Taxes amidst serious allegations of corruption tied to former finance minister Cristóbal Montoro. Recently, a judge identified Galán as a key figure in altering the 2018 budgets to accommodate gas companies, raising significant concerns regarding the influence of corporate interests on governmental financial decisions. María Jesús Montero, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, stated on Friday that a decision regarding Galán's future remains pending as they review the allegations against him. "We are reviewing the details for which he is being accused and are in contact with this person to make the correct decisions," Montero confirmed. The investigations, which have been ongoing for seven years, were reignited recently when Rubén Rus, the head of Investigating Court number 2 of Tarragona, lifted the secrecy of the case. The inquiry centers around Equipo Económico, a law firm founded by Montoro in 2008, which allegedly benefited unlawfully during Montoro's time in the Ministry. After returning to the Ministry for a second term in 2011, several regulations favoring the firm's clients were reportedly approved. The judge's findings indicate that gas companies had approached Montoro on two separate occasions, paying substantial fees for the legal adjustments they sought. These modifications included changes to the General State Budgets law of 2018, facilitated significantly by Del Amo. Emails reviewed by investigators reveal that Del Amo held a crucial role in processing legislative texts that aligned with the gas companies' demands. He communicated with these firms, discussing their requests and addressing modifications to regulatory frameworks. Following direct interventions from the law firm, gas companies subsequently succeeded in pushing through legal reforms, as suggested by the evidence compiled in the case. While Montero defended Galán’s position, asserting that he is not a political appointee and has maintained his post through civil service, the implications of the Montoro case provide a stark illustration of systemic corruption allegations within the People’s Party (PP). Montero remarked, "The Montoro case demonstrates that systemic corruption intimately accompanies the PP and benefits a few, particularly companies and large fortunes." The ongoing scrutiny of Del Amo’s actions alongside the broader investigation into Montoro raises critical questions about the integrity of political processes in Spain, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency in governmental financial dealings. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2