Judge finds enough evidence to try PP treasurers over secret accounts

A SPANISH High Court judge, Pablo Ruz, has said sufficient evidence has been gathered to try the former Popular Party (PP) treasurers Luis Barcenas and Alvaro Lapuerta over secret accounts allegedly used to hide illegal donations.

In a 190-page report the judge concluded that there is also enough evidence to bring the chiefs of architects firm Unifaca to trial, accused of accepting a €1.55 million portion of the undeclared money to renovate the party’s offices.

The judge also stated that the PP itself could face charges over failing to pay more than €1 million in tax on illegal donations accepted in 2008.  

The case against 22 more suspects, including business people who stood accused of funding the party through parallel accounts, has been dropped.

The judge is now starting another investigation into a contract for rubbish collection, allegedly given as a reward for financial support for the PP.

This is an unwelcome development for the government at a time when the PP has fared badly in the Andulucian elections. This scandal has been plaguing the Popular Party since it first emerged in 2009.

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