José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Spain's prime minister from 2004 to 2011, is facing a new tax fraud and smuggling investigation after police discovered a jewelry collection worth over €1.3 million (£1.1m) in his office safe. The find came during a search for an unrelated inquiry, because apparently one legal headache wasn't enough.
The former socialist leader is already under investigation for alleged influence-peddling related to the state bailout of Spanish Plus Ultra airline during the Covid pandemic. Prosecutors claim he oversaw "a hierarchical structure of influence-peddling" designed to extract economic benefits by leaning on public bodies for third parties, mainly Plus Ultra.
On Friday, Judge José Luis Calama of Spain's Audiencia Nacional announced the new probe after an expert appraisal valued the loot - necklaces, bracelets, rings, and watches - at €1,323,915. The judge noted that the absence of proper tax paperwork for such bling was "an objective and rational indication of the possible existence of significant tax fraud." Apparently, acquiring €1.3 million in jewelry without filing VAT, property transfer tax, inheritance tax, or income tax forms is frowned upon.
A spokesperson for Zapatero initially claimed the jewelry was worth €30,000 to €50,000 - a slight underestimate of about €1.27 million. They later apologized for "unintentionally misleading people" and said some pieces were inherited while others were picked up on trips. No word on whether those trips included visits to tax-free zones.
Zapatero, due in court next week, denies any wrongdoing. In a previous video statement about the Plus Ultra case, he insisted: "All my public and private activity has always been conducted with absolute respect for the law." He added he had "never carried out any action" relating to the airline's rescue - presumably except the actions he's accused of carrying out.
Zapatero's socialist successor, Pedro Sánchez, is currently facing his own buffet of corruption cases involving his wife, brother, party, and administration. In Spain, it seems, the political drama never goes out of style - though the jewelry might.