Mason Jones (Reporter)
AN investigating judge has demanded new information on dozens companies who are believed to be connected to the ‘Barcenas ledgers’.
Judge Pablo Ruz, who is currently investigating the Partido Popular’s alleged €38 million offshore slush fund, has ordered the party to provide details about every financial transaction it received from least 30 companies between 1990 and 2005.
All of the firms mentioned appear in the handwritten ledgers kept by former party treasurer Luis Barcenas.
The secret ledgers, which were first published in January of this year, appear to show illegal party funding and cash bonuses for high ranking politicians in exchange for government contracts.
The allegations also implicate former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and even current PM, Mariano Rajoy.
The documents, whose authenticity has already been verified by handwriting experts to have been written by Barcenas, show that over 30 donations made to the party went over the legal limit of €60,000.
Many of the donors were development and construction firms who were simultaneously awarded building contracts.
Ruz has also ordered the head of security at the PP’s headquarters to provide detailed information on any visits made to the building by eight people whose names appear on the ledgers.
