Econintersect: An expose published by the Spanish newspaper El Pais has listed previously secret donations from a variety of sources to prominent Spanish politicians over a 20-year period starting in 1990. The handwritten ledgers of the money transfers have listed Spain’s current Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, a total of 25,200 times over an eleven year span.
The ledgers were maintained by two party treasurers for PP (Partido Popular, the current ruling party of Spain), Álvaro Lapuerta and Luis Bárcenas between 1990 and 2009, according to Le Pais.
Many of the politicians listed in the ledgers have denied they ever received any money although disbursements to them are itemized. The ledgers indicate that the leaders of PP received “mechanical periodic payments“, according to Le Pais. This could be interpreted to be similar to receiving payroll payments.
Other payments were for such things as “supplies“, “income“, “gifts” and “clothing“.
There are also payments to newspapers that “appear to reflect consideration for services performed.” (El Pais words.) An internet site (Libertad Digital, Federico Jimenez Losantos) was also the benficiary of funds from the PP treasurers.
According to Le Pais, referring to donors listed in the ledgers:
All have denied directly or through spokesmen, have made donations to the Popular Party.
Sources:
- Barcenas secret accounts (J.M. Romero, Fransisco Market, Miguel Jiminez and Charles E. Cue, El Pais, El Pais, 31 January 2013)
- SPAIN’S PM FACES HUGE CORRUPTION SCANDAL — Internet Explodes With Mockery Over This Image (Joe Weisenthal, Business Insider)
- Spanish Premier Vows Transparency on Finances (Christopher Bjork and Richard Doudreaux, The Wall Street Journal)