# Montoro influence-peddling investigation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/montoro-influence-peddling-investigation > Updated: 2026-09-22T02:00:32.000Z. Sources: 27. Developments: 2. An investigation is underway in Tarragona regarding allegations of influence peddling involving former Minister of Finance Cristóbal Montoro and the firm Equipo Económico. The probe examines whether Montoro facilitated legislative changes to benefit gas companies in exchange for commissions paid to the firm. During legal proceedings, María Lobo, the legal representative for gas company Messer Ibérica, testified that Equipo Económico provided a “roadmap” for the company. Lobo defended the payments made to the firm, asserting they were for “real and valuable legal advice” regarding tax regulations, and denied that the company paid for political favors. The Audiencia de Tarragona has referred a jurisdictional dispute to the Supreme Court. Defense lawyers have sought to transfer the proceedings to Madrid, arguing that the relevant administrative actions, the headquarters of Equipo Económico, and the Association of Industrial and Medicinal Gas Manufacturers (AFGIM) are all located there. The Audiencia de Tarragona ruled that it lacks the competence to resolve conflicts between courts in different autonomous communities, stating that such matters must be decided by the Supreme Court. The investigation, which began in 2018, continues in Tarragona for the time being while the legal battle over jurisdiction proceeds. ## Claims - The investigation should be transferred to Madrid because Equipo Económico is headquartered there. (disputed by 2 sources) - The investigation should remain in Tarragona because it originated from proceedings opened there. (disputed) - The Audiencia de Tarragona lacks the functional competence to resolve the jurisdictional dispute between Tarragona and Madrid. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Supreme Court is the authority responsible for resolving jurisdictional conflicts between courts in different autonomous communities. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The current investigation is progressing too slowly. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The investigation into alleged influence peddling involving the gas sector will continue in Tarragona for now. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The investigation into alleged influence peddling involves former Minister Cristóbal Montoro and the firm Equipo Económico. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Audiencia de Tarragona has left the decision to the Supreme Court regarding which judicial body should instruct the case. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Association of Industrial and Medicinal Gas Manufacturers (AFGIM) is based in Madrid. (single source) - Legislative proposals and meetings between AFGIM and Equipo Económico occurred in Madrid. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-22: Montoro corruption probe: Supreme Court to decide jurisdiction The Audiencia de Tarragona has deferred a jurisdictional dispute to the Supreme Court regarding a corruption probe into former Minister Cristóbal Montoro and alleged influence peddling in the gas sector. 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tarragona-court-defers-montoro-case-jurisdiction-to-supreme-court ### 2026-09-15: Messer Ibérica representative testifies in Montoro influence-peddling case Messer Ibérica's legal representative testified in the Montoro case, defending payments to Equipo Económico as legitimate legal advice and denying any bribery for political influence. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/messer-ibrica-representative-testifies-in-montoro-influence-peddling-case --- Cite as: Montoro influence-peddling investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/montoro-influence-peddling-investigation