The Spanish State Attorney General’s Office has suspended the disciplinary proceedings against Pilar Rodríguez, former head of the Madrid Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, and María Luisa Llop, a prosecutor at the National Court. According to the official decision, the suspension remains in effect until there is a final court ruling or a firm dismissal of the criminal case involving the two prosecutors, who were mentioned in communications linked to the ongoing Plus Ultra investigation.
Why the disciplinary process is paused
The suspension follows the regulations of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which dictate that disciplinary action initiated due to facts under criminal investigation must wait for a final judicial resolution. As stated by the authorities, the court’s determination of proven facts will be binding for the subsequent disciplinary decision. The Fiscal Inspection has requested that Alejandro Luzón, the Chief Prosecutor of the Anti-Corruption Office, provide all relevant judicial resolutions concerning the two prosecutors as the case progresses.
Did You Know? The Regulation of the Public Prosecutor’s Office explicitly mandates that no final resolution in a disciplinary file can be reached until a criminal cause is concluded with a final sentence or a formal dismissal order, ensuring that judicial findings take precedence over administrative investigations.
Status of the Plus Ultra investigation
The broader case involves allegations regarding the rescue of the airline Plus Ultra. Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero testified before Judge José Luis Calama for three hours, denying any influence in the rescue or involvement in offshore companies. Zapatero acknowledged making a single call to Banco Santander to request that airline representatives be attended to, but he maintained that he did not lobby for financing. According to recordings accessed by laSexta, the former leader emphasized that he has never spoken with anyone in the public sector regarding the 53-million-euro rescue.
Implications for the former Prime Minister’s circle
The investigation has expanded to include the former Prime Minister’s family and staff. Judge Calama has officially named as “investigadas” (under investigation) Zapatero’s daughters, Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa, as well as his secretary, Gertrudis Alcázar. The court views the company What The Fav, owned by the daughters, as having a potential “instrumental role” in the canalization of funds, according to the judicial auto. While Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has expressed his confidence in Zapatero’s innocence and his support for the former leader, the judicial process continues to scrutinize the financial activities of those in his orbit.
Expert Insight: The transition of the daughters and the secretary from potential witnesses to formal subjects of investigation marks a significant escalation in the legal proceedings. By naming them as “investigadas,” the judge provides them with the full legal protections required by the Spanish Constitution, specifically the right to remain silent and to avoid self-incrimination, which would not be guaranteed if they were called merely as witnesses.
What may happen next
The court is expected to set specific dates for the statements of the newly named subjects of the investigation. Analysts suggest that the judicial focus will likely remain on the financial records of What The Fav and the nature of the consulting reports provided to the company Análisis Relevante. Meanwhile, the political fallout continues to develop as members of the PSOE maintain their support for Zapatero, while opposition figures like those from the PP and Vox have reacted to the expansion of the case into the former Prime Minister’s family circle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the prosecutors’ disciplinary files suspended?
The State Attorney General’s Office suspended the files because the facts under review are currently subject to a criminal procedure. Under the regulations, the final court ruling will determine the outcome of the disciplinary process.
What was Zapatero’s role in the Plus Ultra rescue according to his testimony?
Zapatero denied any influence on the rescue. He admitted to making a call to Banco Santander to ensure that airline representatives were granted a meeting, but he stated he did not intervene in the process or seek financing.
Why were the daughters of the former Prime Minister officially named as investigadas?
The judge determined that citing them as witnesses would infringe upon their constitutional rights. Their status as administrators of a company linked to the investigation necessitates their participation as formal subjects of the inquiry to ensure their right to a legal defense.
How will the final court rulings in the criminal investigation impact the administrative status of those involved in the case?
