Prostitutes, cocaine and extortion are just some of the condiments that the corruption scandal which shakes the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE)just three months before the important municipal and regional elections.
The investigation is aimed above all at the former deputy Juan Bernardo Fuentes Curbelo and a retired Civil Guard general Francisco Espinosa Navascharged with the charge bribes of businessmen to obtain contracts, public aid and other favors in the Canary Islands.
Also included in the complaint Taisbet Fuentesformer Canary Islands government official and nephew of Fuentes Curbelo, and commission agent Marco Antonio Navarro Tacorontewho acted as a mediator between the entrepreneurs and the other defendants.
It was Navarro Tacoronte himself who sent to Justice dozens of messages, recordings and photos showing the plot of corruption, as well as the parties where there were drug and prostitution services.
Meanwhile, a judge ruled this Friday, with the support of the anti-corruption prosecutor, that the general has retired Espinosa Navas continues in prison to avoid destruction of evidence. He has been in prison since February 16, charged with the crimes of corruption, influence trafficking and participation in organized criminal group. At his home they found more than 61,000 euros in a shoebox.
Meanwhile, the other alleged leader of the organization, the former parliamentarian Curbelo Sourcesnicknamed Tito Berniwhich was forced to resign from office on 14 February he is still on bail.
It was he who, according to the judicial act, he received businessmen in his office of the Congress of Deputies of Madrid. It has offered them aid from public institutions to expand their activities, such as procurement and licenses, as well as the possibility of avoiding inspections and penalties in exchange for large sums of money.
According to the Spanish press, most of these entrepreneurs belonged to the agricultural sector, such as Fuentes Curbelo himself, owner of a family business that produces goat cheese on the island of Fuenteventura.
He is accused of bribery, deception, money laundering, influence trading and belonging to an organized crime group in a conspiracy that, according to a police report, had reached its “sunset” in May 2021.
The political clash that unleashed the scandal in the PSOE
After the corruption scandal involving the PSOE came to light, suspicions arose about many other politicians belonging to that party, who were also accused of being involved in the plot.
In the crosshairs were 15 socialists who attended a dinner in a luxury restaurant in Madrid together with Navarro Tacoronte and Fuentes Curbelo. Defensively, the PSOE spokesman in the Spanish Congress, Patxi López, clarified: “It’s one thing to go to dinner and another thing to be corrupt.”
In the opposition sector, the conservatives of the People’s Party (PP) have asked Congress to thoroughly investigate the case, while several leaders of the far right (Vox) have come out to launch harsh accusations against the PSOE.
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Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.