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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 15 sources · 11 days · First seen 11 days ago · Last updated about 10 hours ago

Plus Ultra state bailout corruption investigation

Overview

The Audiencia Nacional is investigating a corruption and money laundering scheme involving the airline Plus Ultra and a 53 million euro state bailout provided by the State Society of Industrial Participations (SEPI).

Initial investigations focused on former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, regarding allegations that a commission of approximately 530,000 euros was paid to facilitate the bailout. Authorities are examining payments made through intermediaries and shell companies, such as Análisis Relevante, and investigating potential crimes against the Public Treasury involving unverified luxury jewelry.

The investigation expanded to include Dutch financier Simon Leendert Verhoeven, who was arrested in Germany and faces extradition to Spain. Prosecutors allege Verhoeven orchestrated a network to launder illicit funds from Venezuela through offshore structures in England, Switzerland, and Gibraltar. He is accused of providing approximately 1.3 million euros in bridge loans to Plus Ultra between 2020 and 2021, which investigators suggest may have facilitated the use of the government bailout. Verhoeven faces charges including money laundering, misappropriation, and membership in a criminal organization.

Entities

Audiencia Nacional · Plus Ultra · José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero · Simon Leendert Verhoeven · SEPI

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 9 SOURCES] Simon Leendert Verhoeven is identified as the central figure in a structure used to move and launder illicit funds from Venezuela. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.negocios.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] German authorities have arrested Dutch financier Simon Leendert Verhoeven. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.negocios.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · +4 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The Plus Ultra case involves an investigation into former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.20minutos.es · www.diariodemallorca.es · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Verhoeven is scheduled to be extradited to Madrid from Frankfurt on Thursday, September 24, 2026. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.negocios.com · okdiario.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Plus Ultra later received a 53 million euro government bailout, which investigators claim was used to cover the illicit funds. www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.negocios.com · www.20minutos.es · es.euronews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Verhoeven allegedly provided over 1 million euros in bridge loans to Plus Ultra through offshore structures in England, Switzerland, and Gibraltar. www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.negocios.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Verhoeven is facing charges including misappropriation, influence peddling, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.negocios.com · www.20minutos.es
[● 2 SOURCES] Plus Ultra maintains that the loans were necessary because the airline was on the verge of bankruptcy and could not secure traditional bank financing. www.elmundo.es · es.euronews.com

Timeline

about 10 hours ago

[CRIME] 11 sources
Simon Leendert Verhoeven arrested in Germany in Plus Ultra case
Dutch financier Simon Leendert Verhoeven has been arrested in Germany for allegedly laundering Venezuelan funds through the airline Plus Ultra, a case involving former Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
11 days ago

[CRIME] 4 sources
Zapatero investigated in Plus Ultra state bailout corruption case
Former Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is being investigated for alleged influence peddling and money laundering related to a 53 million euro state bailout of Plus Ultra airline.

Sources

20minutos.com.mx · ariadna.elmundo.es · caminodesantiago.lavozdegalicia.com · centre-cerlatez.ch · eldiario.es · ep01.epimg.net · es.euronews.com · icndiario.com · laopinioncoruna.es · lapatilla.com · lasemainedansleboulonnais.fr · negocios.com · ocio.diariodemallorca.es · okdiario.com · que.es