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 documents payments totaling at least €620,000 made in connection with specific public contracts awarded to Acciona. The payments were reportedly arranged through intermediaries linked to Ábalos and his trusted associate Koldo García, with the entire operation overseen and coordinated 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 Designed to Benefit Acciona
The agreements under discussion encompass significant infrastructure endeavors from 2018 to 2021, including road construction, railway enhancements, and city transit networks, mainly in areas led by the PSOE. As per the UCO’s findings, these bids lacked genuine competition and were tailored with specific criteria that essentially barred other contenders, guaranteeing Acciona’s victory.
The document describes the proceedings as being a part of a “flawlessly organized framework” where political influence was leveraged to manipulate the bidding procedure in return for monetary bribes.
The Key Role of Santos Cerdán
An essential aspect of the UCO investigation involves Santos Cerdán’s involvement. The report claims that Cerdán was aware of the bribery operation and orchestrated the handling and allocation of funds. Documented conversations and witness accounts indicate that he was the key political player coordinating the connection between business interests and senior 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 initiated a self-assessment, openly dissociating from any illicit activities. A past executive purportedly associated with the operation has already departed from the organization. Despite Acciona asserting lack of awareness regarding any misconduct, the UCO report indicates otherwise, portraying a scenario of a company that either took part actively or ignored the unethical actions.
Although the allegations are serious, the government has not issued any formal comment. Within the PSOE, the situation has become a sensitive issue, particularly following recent prominent resignations prompted by earlier stages of the corruption inquiry.
The UCO’s findings make it clear: Acciona was purportedly involved in an extensive politically driven scheme aimed at obtaining bribes in return for public contracts worth millions of euros. Should this be validated, the case would uncover a profound corruption network embedded not only among party officials but also within the entities accountable for the administration of public funds.
This issue has moved beyond internal party misconduct—it’s now a potential national-level scandal. The public is now watching to see if the judicial system and political bodies have the determination to seek complete accountability, no matter how far the inquiry extends.
