Serious Allegations Arise Against MEP Alvise Pérez in Corruption Investigation
The Supreme Court's Prosecutors Office has acknowledged the criminal implications in a complaint against MEP Alvise Pérez, who allegedly received €100,000 in cash during his European election campaign. The case, initially tied to businessman Álvaro Romillo's accusations related to a purported pyramid scheme involving Madeira Invest Club, has been referred to the National Court for further investigation.
Following the complaint filed by Romillo on September 19, the Attorney General's Office had directed the matter to the Supreme Court, which briefly opened and then closed proceedings upon discovering that a judicial inquiry was already underway in the National Court regarding these events. The Prosecutors Office thus decided to send the case back to the National Court to be assessed by Judge José Luis Calama, who has already been apprised of similar allegations.
If Judge Calama considers there is enough evidence of wrongdoing on Pérez’s part, the case would be escalated back to the Supreme Court, the only institution eligible to investigate a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) due to their legal protections within that environment.
The prosecutor, Fernando Rodríguez Rey, noted in his findings that the accusations stemming from Romillo's complaint could connect Pérez to illegal financing activities during the election, particularly emphasizing the manner in which Pérez supposedly coordinated with Romillo's companies, including Madeira Club Invest and Sentinel.
Romillo's accusations specify that he allegedly handed Pérez €100,000 in cash on May 27, just weeks prior to the election. Romillo states that the payment was crucial for his campaign. His message reportedly read, "You enable me to have an urgent part of the campaign. A thousand thanks dude." It is claimed the cash was delivered by one of Romillo's employees to Pérez at his Madrid office.
Romillo’s subsequent claims include an ongoing relationship with Pérez, suggesting they planned collaborations in Ibiza and discussions about enhancing the visibility of Romillo’s ventures. In his complaint, Romillo asserts that they communicated regularly about strategizing fundraising methods that would circumvent restrictions imposed by the Court of Accounts on party funds.
Romillo’s detailed records of conversations with Pérez, which he included in his complaint, paint a picture of their relationship centered around financial maneuvering and election strategy. He highlighted Pérez's urgency to acquire funds that could help prevent scrutiny and manage legal risks, especially related to potential penalties for breaches of state secrecy and data protection laws.
Romillo further clarified that this financial influx was part of a broader objective to establish his political party's relevance and influence leading up to the 2026 elections, where they aspire to secure five seats and become a pivotal force in the government.
The unfolding story illustrates significant concerns about potential corruption and the integrity of financial practices within political campaigns. As investigations proceed, the implications for Pérez and broader electoral standards come into sharper focus, raising pressing questions about accountability and the ethical conduct of public officials.
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