Judge Requests Bank Information on Zapatero, Daughters, and Secretary in Influence Peddling Probe

Spanish National Court Judge José Luis Calama has authorized police to seek bank account details for former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, his daughters, and his secretary. This move is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged influence peddling connected to the Plus Ultra airline's bailout.

The request targets dozens of accounts across more than ten financial institutions, covering transactions from January 1, 2020. The Economic and Fiscal Crimes Unit (UDEF) of the police aims to cross-reference this data with detected movements suggesting potential transfers of hundreds of thousands of euros to Zapatero and his daughters. Investigators suspect these activities constitute a scheme of influence peddling.

Judge Calama reportedly sees indications of an "organized and stable structure" directed by Zapatero. This structure is believed to have engaged in illicit influence peddling for clients like Plus Ultra, Inteligencia Prospectiva, and Softgestor. These companies allegedly compensated for these services through "simulated advisory contracts," masking payments intended for Zapatero and a company managed by his daughters.

The operation appears to have been channeled through a corporate network controlled by businessman Julio Martínez, who acted as Zapatero's trusted intermediary with clients. Evidence suggests Zapatero may have received substantial sums, including €490,780 from Martínez's company Análisis Relevante between 2020 and 2025, in addition to other funds justified by supposed professional services.