Spain investigates Plus Ultra case involving Zapatero and alleged money laundering

Spanish authorities are conducting a multi-faceted investigation into the ‘Plus Ultra case,’ involving former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and the airline Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas. Judge José Luis Calama of the Audiencia Nacional is examining whether Social Security debts were improperly forgiven following a meeting between Zapatero and former Minister José Luis Escrivá.

The investigation also focuses on Dutch financier Simon Leendert Verhoeven, who is accused of laundering a portion of the 53 million euros in public funds received by Plus Ultra during the pandemic. Verhoeven allegedly used his company, Valerian Corporation, to facilitate transfers and hide Venezuelan investors through entities in Luxembourg and Gibraltar.

Additionally, a Madrid court has opened proceedings to investigate the leak of Zapatero’s private messages and personal agendas, which were disclosed during the judicial process. These leaks included sensitive communications between Zapatero and his secretary, which investigators claim were unrelated to the core legal proceedings.