Spain's former PM Zapatero under tax fraud probe after police find €1.3m of jewellery in office safe
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero faces a new criminal investigation for tax fraud and smuggling after an expert assessment valued jewellery found in his office safe at €1,323,915, Spain's Audiencia Nacional announced.
The jewellery discovery
On 19 May, police searched the office of former Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero as part of an existing influence-peddling inquiry. In a safe, they found necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and watches. An expert report later put the total value at €1,323,915. Zapatero, who led two Socialist governments between 2004 and 2011, is already under investigation for his alleged role in the 2021 state bailout of airline Plus Ultra.
The new charges
On Friday, investigating judge José Luis Calama of the Audiencia Nacional opened a separate investigation for suspected tax fraud and smuggling. He argued that the absence of tax paperwork for the luxury items pointed to possible offences involving VAT, property transfer tax, inheritance tax or personal income tax.
The possession of high-value luxury goods, coupled with the lack of tax traceability regarding their acquisition, constitutes an objective and rational indication of the possible existence of significant tax fraud.
The judge noted that acquiring jewellery of this value necessarily triggers tax obligations, and Zapatero cannot currently demonstrate payment of customs duties, special taxes or import levies.
Zapatero's response
A spokesperson for the former prime minister said some pieces were family inheritances while others were bought during trips. The spokesperson had initially claimed the jewellery was worth between €30,000 and €50,000, but apologised on Friday for inadvertently misleading the public. Both he and Zapatero have promised to provide the judge with a full explanation. Zapatero denies all wrongdoing and is due to appear before Judge Calama on 17 and 18 June.
- Police search Zapatero's office and discover jewellery in a safe; initial valuation reported as €30,000–€50,000 by his team.
- Audiencia Nacional judge José Luis Calama opens tax fraud and smuggling investigation after expert values the jewellery at €1,323,915.
- Zapatero scheduled to appear before the judge for questioning over the Plus Ultra influence-peddling case and the new jewellery-related charges.
Political fallout
The case has deepened pressure on current socialist prime minister Pedro Sánchez. The right-wing opposition has been demanding his resignation and snap elections. Sánchez's wife Begoña Gómez, his brother David, and his former political right-hand, ex-transport minister José Luis Ábalos, are all entangled in separate judicial investigations ranging from corruption to influence-peddling. Sánchez has so far refused to step down and continues to support Zapatero.
