Former Spanish finance minister caught up in gas lobbying corruption probe
The report, compiled by the Guardia Civil's elite investigative unit (UCO), alleges that payments from gas companies were funneled through Montoro's private law firm, Equipo Económico, before being transferred directly into his and his partners' personal accounts.
Montoro, who served under conservative prime ministers José María Aznar and Mariano Rajoy, is among 29 individuals implicated in a long-running investigation into alleged efforts to influence legislative reforms in favor of the gas sector.
Montoro has denied the accusations, telling RTVE that there is 'no evidence' against him and claiming he had severed ties with Equipo Económico in 2008 – despite being listed as the firm's founder and president.
Commenting on the revelations, current Finance Minister María Jesús Montero noted that Montoro is "just one of Aznar's many ministers who wound up in court."
Social Democrat Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez linked the scandal to broader systemic corruption under Rajoy's administration, which ended in 2018 with a no-confidence vote. 'This kind of widespread corruption is what brought down the previous government,' he said.
The Sánchez administration, as well as Sánchez himself through his entourage, is currently under fire for several corruption scandals.
While Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo said corruption 'must be investigated regardless of ideology,' PP heavyweight Elías Bendodo urged caution, pointing out that Montoro hasn't held office since 2018.
The PP has been hit by numerous scandals in recent decades, with more than 30 open investigations currently linked to former ministers and senior officials.
(cs)
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