MEP Alvise Pérez Admits to Accepting Cash Without Invoice Amid Campaign Controversy
Alvise Pérez, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing the political group Se Acabó La Fiesta SALF, has recently acknowledged accepting €100,000 from an entrepreneur without issuing an invoice. This admission came through a series of messages on his Telegram channel, which boasts a following of over 700,000. In these communications, Pérez refers to himself in the third person and defends his actions while simultaneously criticizing fiscal oversight by the state.
Pérez disclosed that he has received a summons for a potential fine amounting to 25% of the total payment due to the lack of formal invoicing for his freelance services. He explained that the Prosecutor's Office intends to charge him for allegedly utilizing these funds to distribute 5,000 t-shirts and caps, fund campaign vehicles, secure hotels and flights, and print two million ballots that were disseminated across the country, constituting a wide array of electoral expenditures.
The Supreme Court's Prosecutor's Office, the only body capable of investigating Pérez due to his parliamentary immunity, is tasked with determining whether there was any illegal financing of his campaign associated with the €100,000 received from cryptocurrency entrepreneur Álvaro Romillo. Following the complaint lodged by Romillo, the State Attorney General's Office concluded there were potential indications of a crime stemming from this cash transaction.
According to reports shared by the entrepreneur, during telephone exchanges, Pérez expressed to him that a minimum of €300,000 was necessary to effectively promote his campaign in Brussels. He stated that while he injected €100,000 of his own funds, the €7,000 received from his supporters was insufficient to meet campaign needs.
Pérez detailed the sources from which he hoped to obtain additional funding, stating a desire for contributions that would evade scrutiny by the Court of Auditors. These funds were intended for various campaign-related activities such as rallies, advertisements, and other events. He also mentioned a need for financial support to mitigate penalties related to disclosure of state secrets and data protection laws.
In an attempt to downplay the legal implications of his actions, Pérez asserted that his relationship with Romillo was based on shared rhetoric against perceived state control. He portrayed his supporters as advocates for freedom and allies in the fight against corruption. Pérez's statements included claims of collusion between Romillo and prominent political figures, alleging that recordings exist implicating Santiago Abascal in a business venture linked to Romillo’s company, Sentinel.
The unfolding situation raises significant questions about transparency and accountability in political financing, especially in light of Pérez's controversial methods for raising campaign funds. As investigations proceed, the implications of his actions on both his political career and public trust in electoral processes remain to be seen.
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