Former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero denied on June 17 that he led an influence‑peddling scheme tied to the $61.5 million Plus Ultra bailout, saying questioned payments were legitimate fees paid to his daughters' agency. He faced a three‑hour hearing at Madrid's Audiencia Nacional on charges including influence peddling and money laundering. Judge José Luis Calama has ordered police to trace and seize any Bitcoin and Litecoin linked to Zapatero as part of broader probes into frozen bank accounts and an alleged Dubai offshore company. The investigation is ongoing and no public confirmation yet exists that any crypto wallets have been identified.
Ex-PM Zapatero Denies Role in $61.5M Airline Bailout as Court Seeks His Crypto
Photo by BeInCrypto
Former Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero told a Madrid court on June 17 that he did not direct an influence‑peddling network connected to the $61.5 million bailout of airline Plus Ultra, and denied any wrongdoing as investigators broaden their probe to include his cryptocurrency holdings.
Court Hearing And Charges
Zapatero appeared for a three‑hour hearing at the Audiencia Nacional, facing four charges: influence peddling, money laundering, tax fraud and smuggling. According to legal sources, he answered only the investigating judge and his own counsel during the session.
Denial And Defense
The former premier rejected allegations that he spoke with government ministers or airline executives about the rescue. He told the court that payments flagged by investigators were legitimate consulting fees and design work carried out by his daughters' agency. Zapatero also said he did not meet Plus Ultra's current president until 2024, three years after the cabinet approved the aid.
"I have absolutely nothing outside of Spain," Zapatero reportedly told the court, and he offered a "voluntary universal authorization" for authorities to inspect his assets.
Probe Focus: Plus Ultra And Offshore Company Allegations
The investigation centers on the 2021 rescue of Plus Ultra, an airline with links to Venezuelan businessmen that received €61.5 million (reported as $61.5 million) through the state holding company SEPI. Prosecutors, citing reporting in infoLibre, allege that an offshore company was registered in Dubai eight days after the cabinet approved the aid and that the company was used to manage funds related to the rescue. The judge has placed Zapatero at the alleged "apex" of the organised network under investigation.
Crypto Tracing And Asset Seizure
On May 18, Investigating Judge José Luis Calama issued a seizure order directing Spain's economic crime police to trace and seize any Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC) tied to Zapatero. The measure complements frozen bank accounts and inquiries into the offshore company.
Any recovered tokens would be transferred to Prosegur's high‑security crypto bunker in Madrid, where private keys are stored offline under judicial contract. Judge Calama has previously led prosecutions in major crypto cases, including the Madeira Invest fraud that affected more than 3,000 people.
Legal Process Ongoing
The instruction phase of the investigation continues. Judge Calama has not publicly confirmed whether tracing has identified any wallets linked to Zapatero. The court's actions reflect broader changes: Spain has tightened crypto oversight under new European Union anti‑money‑laundering rules, and Spanish courts have increasingly used blockchain tracing in prosecutions and asset recoveries.
Note: The allegations remain subject to judicial determination; Zapatero has denied wrongdoing and cooperated with requests to verify his assets.
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