José Luis Ábalos Defends Innocence Against Allegations of Financial Irregularities

José Luis Ábalos, the former Secretary General of the PSOE and Minister of Transport, has publicly asserted his innocence in response to a report from the UCO (Central Operative Unit) that suggests irregularities and unaccounted payments linked to his financial activities. In a detailed message shared on X, Ábalos stands firm against what he describes as a misguided investigation into his personal life, refuting any claims of illegal financing or unjustified expenses. The report in question, numbered 1572025, has come under scrutiny for being released to the media before Ábalos was notified, which he argues infringes on his right to a proper defense. "The publication of the report before proper notification not only hinders my legal rights but also highlights a biased approach by the UCO, treating me as guilty in the eyes of the public without sufficient justification," he wrote. Ábalos challenges the characterization of a payment of €95,000 as having an 'unknown origin,' suggesting that such a label is overly simplistic and premature given that the necessary investigations were not adequately conducted beforehand. He questions the thoroughness of the UCO’s inquiries and the rationale behind their conclusions, asserting, "Did the UCO not properly conduct the necessary inquiries and verification before arriving at this judgment?" The former PSOE leader emphasizes that all financial dealings are legal, justified, and often related to settled expenses, which he insists have been duly documented with corresponding notes and receipts. He cites various personal scenarios as examples of legitimate expenses, ranging from Christmas bonuses for his children to the sale of a car. Addressing the accusations of illegal financing and money laundering, Ábalos highlights the absence of evidence connecting him to financial misconduct. "What is truly being examined is the implication of illicit funds or kickbacks, of which there is not even a trace," he asserted, reinforcing his claim that rather than evidence of wrongdoing, the focus has turned towards his private lifestyle, which he believes is an unwarranted invasion of his personal affairs. Ábalos concludes that the discussions surrounding the €95,000 payments and associated charges are merely distractions from the actual facts, maintaining that years of audits by the Court of Auditors have already validated his financial conduct. He advocates for a thorough and fair investigation rather than one steeped in biases, declaring, "If after ten years the focus remains on €95,000, we aren’t discussing a serious issue, given that it does not even constitute a tax problem." This case has garnered significant media attention and highlights larger conversations around transparency, accountability, and the integrity of political figures. As the investigation unfolds, Ábalos remains committed to defending his reputation against what he perceives to be unfounded claims. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2