WASHINGTON/MADRID, May 20 (Reuters) – The United States’ Department of Homeland Security assisted Spanish police in a money-laundering probe that led to an investigation by Spain’s High Court of former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a DHS spokesperson said.
The Spanish court said on Tuesday Zapatero was being investigated for allegedly leading an influence-peddling and money-laundering network, in another blow to the leftist government beset by corruption scandals.
It said the network allegedly led by Zapatero profited from lobbying public authorities on behalf of third parties – mainly Spanish airline Plus Ultra, which was bailed out by the state in 2021.
Zapatero, a key ally of current Prime Minister and fellow Socialist Pedro Sanchez and who led Spain from 2004 to 2011, denied any wrongdoing on Tuesday.
The DHS spokesperson said the Madrid office of Homeland Security Investigations “assisted the Spanish National Police in an investigation into the laundering of international public funds” that led to the proceedings against Zapatero.
“While we cannot comment on the specifics of the criminal investigation at this time, HSI remains committed to working with its international partners to fight global crime, protect our communities, and uphold the rule of law,” the spokesperson said, referring to Homeland Security Investigations’ acronym.
In its writ, the High Court said the HSI extracted information from a mobile device of Rodolfo Reyes, who is tied to Plus Ultra and also being investigated, and handed that information to Spanish police.
Zapatero is still active in politics, most recently appearing at rallies in support of the Socialist candidate in regional elections in Andalusia. Internationally, he has acted as a mediator with the Venezuelan government to free political prisoners.
The court said on Tuesday that the alleged scheme sought to influence the approval of €53 million euros ($61.51 million) in public aid to Plus Ultra through Spain’s solvency support fund during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigating judge Jose Luis Calama found indications that the network used shell companies, simulated documents and opaque financial channels to hide the origin and destination of funds amounting to €1.95 million.
($1 = 0.8626 euros)
(Reporting by Ted Hesson, additional reporting by Joan Faus and Charlie Devereux;Editing by Aislinn Laing and Gus Trompiz)
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