Tom PowellFORMER PP treasurer Luis Barcenas and his wife amassed their fortune through the secret slush fund he controlled on behalf of the party, according to the judge investigating the case.
Barcenas has been in custody since June 27 last summer for arranging illegal payments to politicians from corrupt businessmen in exchange for bumper contracts. He is due to testify before the High Court next week.
He and his wife – Rosalia Iglesias – have always claimed they made their money through investments and the sale of artworks.
However, Judge Pablo Ruz, who has been investigating the Barcenas case and the secret ledger detailing the payments, has issued a writ that states he diverted money from PP accounts to his own.
Swiss bank accounts holding more than €48.2 million were discovered in his name.
Ruz said that there is enough evidence to prove that the couple’s wealth was made ‘through transfers between bank accounts they both held in Spain and Switzerland’.
For as long as Barcenas managed finances for his party, ministers would receive an envelope each month containing between €5,000 and €10,000.
This money came from a secret slush fund, subsidised by a ring of businessmen- led by Francisco Correa Sanchez – in return for lucrative contracts.
Read the Olive Press’ in-depth look at the political scandal that has engulfed a nation for five years.
