Government · Madrid
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.
AI text based on reports by The Guardian, Franceinfo, stern.de and other publishers. Published . How it is made
For membersThe first 30 seconds for everyone. Synthetic voice (AI).
In brief
Police found necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and watches in Zapatero's office safe during a 19 May search. An expert assessment priced the collection at €1,323,915.
Judge José Luis Calama launched a new criminal inquiry on 12 June, citing the absence of tax documentation for the luxury items as evidence of possible significant tax fraud.
A spokesperson stated the pieces come from family inheritances and travel purchases. An earlier valuation of €30,000–€50,000 was retracted; Zapatero denies any crime.
The opposition called for Sánchez's resignation, pointing to multiple judicial cases affecting his wife, brother and a former minister, as well as the Zapatero investigation.
- 19 MayPolice search Zapatero's office and discover jewellery in a safe; initial valuation reported as €30,000–€50,000 by his team.
- 12 JunAudiencia Nacional judge José Luis Calama opens tax fraud and smuggling investigation after expert values the jewellery at €1,323,915.
- 17 JunZapatero scheduled to appear before the judge for questioning over the Plus Ultra influence-peddling case and the new jewellery-related charges.
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.
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.
Ask about this text
Sources and context
- The GuardianSpain's former PM faces tax fraud inquiry as police find €1.3m of jewellery
- FranceinfoUne enquête ouverte pour fraude fiscale contre l'ex-Premier ministre espagnol José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, après la découverte de bijoux lors d'une perquisition
- stern.deNach Schmuckfund: Weitere Ermittlungen gegen Spaniens Ex-Regierungschef Zapatero
- 20minutesDes bijoux découverts chez l'ex Premier ministre Zapatero, une enquête pour
- José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
- Former Spanish prime minister (2004–2011) under investigation for influence-peddling and now tax fraud and smuggling following the discovery of €1.3m worth of jewellery in his office safe.
- José Luis Calama
- Investigating judge at the Audiencia Nacional who opened the tax fraud and smuggling investigation against Zapatero.
- Pedro Sánchez
- Current Spanish prime minister whose government faces opposition pressure over multiple judicial cases involving his predecessor, wife, brother and a former minister.
Pollar is free and carries no ads in the text. Its members keep it going.
Support Pollar