Koldo García, who was an advisor to José Luis Ábalos in the Ministry of Transportation, has testified for the first time in front of a judge ten months after the outbreak of the corruption case that bears his name. In the interrogation, which lasted almost three hours, he refuted practically all the accusations of businessman Víctor de Aldama, who in his appearance this Monday reiterated having paid thousands of euros in bribes to both Ábalos and him and who pointed it out as the main link with the Government. He has also rejected that Santos Cerdán, current ‘number three’ of the PSOE, received 15,000 euros in cash as claimed by the alleged organizer of the plot, reported sources familiar with the content of his statement.
The evidence revealed by the investigations carried out so far in the National Court point to Koldo as the “liaison” between the Administration and the companies. That is, between Ábalos and Aldama. The judge indirectly attributes crimes of influence peddling, bribery, money laundering and membership in a criminal organization. However, before the judge, the former advisor has denied everything. And he has tried to show himself as a mere advisor, without the ability to contract or sign documents.
The beginning of this case focused on the investigation of the mask business, which allowed Aldama’s privileged relationship in the then Ministry of Public Works to be revealed. The reports from the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard prove that Aldama paid Koldo on a recurring and periodic basis the amount of 10,000 euros per month, which served to gain the “influence” of Ábalos and for both to act later. for the benefit of the entrepreneur’s business.
During the interrogation, in which he responded to all parties, Koldo denied that he had benefited from commissions or perks. And, consequently, he could not share them with whoever was his boss either. However, the judge of the National Court Ismael Moreno maintains that these payments did exist and that they would have been accompanied by others of an extraordinary nature whose beneficiary would be Ábalos.
The most obvious perks, according to the investigation, would be the enjoyment of a chalet in Cádiz and the payment through people linked to Aldama of the rent for a luxury apartment enjoyed by the woman with whom the minister had a relationship. Asked about this property, the former advisor assured that this apartment belonged to the company of one of Aldama’s partners and that they allowed the woman, named Jessica, to “spend the night” there.
The alleged public works rigging has also been the focus of part of the interrogation after the businessman linked the former minister and his advisor to the collection of bribes in exchange for awards. According to the businessman, construction companies paid between 1% and 1.5% commission for each contract awarded. It was a percentage that, according to his version, depended on the magnitude of the work and that was orchestrated at the request of Koldo, who would have asked him for help to collect those commissions.
Before the judge, Koldo has also denied these accusations. And he has even tried to refute the manuscript that the businessman provided as evidence and that, according to his testimony, Koldo would have sent him with the details of supposed awards already agreed upon. Asked about this matter, the former advisor has said that he does not recognize the handwriting of that manuscript as his.
Furthermore, in his statement this Monday, the businessman tried to extend suspicions about the collection of commissions to the PSOE by ensuring that both told him “continually” that “a part” of those bribes went to the party, although he did not do so. direct deliveries to training nor does it have evidence that this actually occurred. Koldo has also refuted this accusation.
Add Comment