A document from Spain’s top anti-corruption agency, known as the UCO (Central Operational Unit of the Guardia Civil), has identified infrastructure behemoth Acciona as central to an extensive political graft network purportedly orchestrated by senior officials of the Socialist Party (PSOE). The authorities claim that the company disbursed large sums in unlawful commissions to obtain significant government contracts. These payments were reportedly routed through political figures closely associated with former minister José Luis Ábalos and the party’s ex-Organization Secretary, Santos Cerdán.
More than €600,000 in Illegal Payments
The UCO report outlines transactions amounting to a minimum of €620,000 related to certain public contracts granted to Acciona. The transfers were allegedly facilitated through intermediaries associated with Ábalos and his close confidant Koldo García, with the whole scheme managed and orchestrated by Santos Cerdán.
Researchers found clues about an extra €450,000 in pending kickbacks linked to three more public agreements, indicating that the suspected corruption ring was not limited to a single instance but was continuing, despite initial warnings of inconsistencies emerging.
Agreements Customized to Benefit Acciona
The agreements under discussion encompass major infrastructure initiatives carried out from 2018 to 2021, including roads, railway constructions, and public transport networks, mostly in areas managed by the PSOE. As reported by the UCO, these bids were manipulated with specific technical criteria that effectively barred competitors, securing Acciona’s victory.
The document describes the procedure as part of a “meticulously orchestrated framework” where political influence was leveraged to manipulate the bidding process in return for monetary incentives.
Santos Cerdán’s Central Role
One significant aspect of the UCO investigation is the involvement assigned to Santos Cerdán. The report claims that Cerdán not only was aware of the corruption operation but also oversaw the coordination and allocation of payments. Documented conversations and evidence highlight him as the key political person organizing the connection between corporate interests and top-tier political power.
According to investigators, Cerdán handled negotiations, assigned percentages, and acted as the link between the awarding authorities and the beneficiaries of the scheme.
Quietude in Institutions and Internal Evaluations
Acciona has launched an internal review, publicly distancing itself from any wrongdoing. One former executive allegedly linked to the scheme has already left the company. Although Acciona claims ignorance of any irregularities, the UCO report suggests otherwise, painting a picture of a company that either actively participated or turned a blind eye to corrupt practices.
Even with the gravity of the accusations, the government has not issued any official comment. Within the PSOE, the issue has turned into a significant problem, particularly following recent prominent resignations caused by earlier stages of the corruption inquiry.
The UCO report leaves little doubt: Acciona was allegedly part of a broader, politically engineered system designed to extract bribes in exchange for multimillion-euro public contracts. If confirmed, this case would expose a deep corruption network rooted not only in party operatives but in the institutions responsible for managing public resources.
This issue has transcended internal party misconduct, potentially becoming a national-level scandal. The public is now watching to see if the judiciary and political institutions are determined to ensure full accountability, regardless of the investigation’s reach.
