Investigations Launched into Plus Ultra Airline's Alleged Misuse of Pandemic Funds

Judge José Luis Calama of the National Court has taken on the investigation regarding the alleged improper use of 53 million euros that the Government granted as a pandemic rescue to Plus Ultra airline. This case also involves suspicions of money laundering concerning public funds and gold originating from Venezuela across several countries. The court has indicated that Judge Calama has accepted the jurisdiction to oversee the investigation through an order that stipulates the proceedings remain confidential. Alongside this, he has asked the Madrid court leading the initial investigation to send over all relevant documentation related to the case. It's worth noting that Calama will conduct the inquiry as the head of Plaza 2 where the case is being instructed, after his colleague Judge Ismael Moreno opted out in 2024. Calama previously rejected a complaint filed by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office regarding this case, believing it was not within his purview, subsequently passing it to Court of Instruction Number 15 in Madrid. This court had also briefly investigated the airline rescue situation before ultimately shelving it. The judge overseeing the case in Plaza de Castilla, who has since withdrawn while the proceedings remain under secrecy, ordered the arrest last December of Plus Ultra's president Julio Martínez, CEO Roberto Roselli, and businessman Julio Martínez Martínez. Legal sources indicate that the court had been exploring complaints made by the Anti-Corruption authorities. The Prosecutor's Office accused Plus Ultra of misuse of the 53 million euros received through a decree from the Council of Ministers in March 2021. Allegations state that this funding was improperly utilized to repay loans attributed to the company from a supposed criminal network. Seven individuals have been charged with money laundering. They are implicated in a criminal organization reportedly based in France, Switzerland, and Spain, comprised of foreign individuals, Spanish nationals, and at least one Spanish lawyer engaged in laundering operations in these countries. Reportedly, illicit funds stem from severe embezzlement actions performed by Venezuelan public officials, specifically from public resources allocated to CLAP programs aimed at distributing subsidized basic foods. Furthermore, there are indications of gold sales from the Bank of Venezuela associated with Plus Ultra, which is named as both the signer and beneficiary in alleged loan agreements with companies related to this criminal organization. These contracts appear to facilitate repayments by Plus Ultra coinciding with the receipt of public assistance, directing funds to accounts outside the country belonging to members of the criminal syndicate. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's complaint elaborates on specific actions taken by several individuals, often via business entities to siphon funds from abroad for purposes including real estate acquisitions. Contracts for loans to Plus Ultra mentioned that these debts were reimbursed entirely. Additionally, it references a sale of gold for around 30 million euros to a company based in the United Arab Emirates, alongside payments forwarded to another business in Panama related to laundering activities, which reportedly included the sale of luxury watches. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2