Overview
- Judge José Luis Calama formally registered Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa and longtime secretary Gertrudis Alcázar as suspects in the Plus Ultra case, a decision announced on June 18 that broadens the criminal inquiry.
- The judge has extended the probe to Whathefav, the company run by Zapatero’s daughters, after police searched its offices on May 19 and seized documents that prosecutors say suggest transfers disguised as consultancy fees.
- Investigators flagged generic invoices from Análisis Relevante and intercepted emails about billing as evidence that payments may have been routed through the daughters’ firm rather than for genuine services.
- A separate fiscal and customs strand of the case concerns undeclared jewelry found during searches of Zapatero’s office, valued in court filings at €1,323,915, which prompted tax and possible contraband checks.
- Zapatero has denied wrongdoing and told investigators the firm did consultancy and communication work; the Audiencia Nacional and anti‑corruption prosecutors will now carry out forensic review of invoices, emails and seized valuables as the inquiry continues.