Gürtel case
Encyclopedia
The Gürtel case is an ongoing political corruption
scandal in Spain. The investigative operation was given the name Gürtel in a cryptic reference to one of the principal suspects, Francisco Correa (Correa means belt in English, Gürtel in German). Correa is a businessman who cultivated links with officers of the People's Party
(PP), Spain major right-wing party, some of which have been forced to resign or have been suspended. An investigation began in 2007 after information was obtained from a whistle-blower. The case came to public attention in early 2009.
Among the accusations are bribery
, money laundering
and tax evasion
implicating a circle of businessmen lead by Francisco Correa and politicians belonging to the People's Party. The alleged illicit activities related to party funding and the award of contracts by local/regional government in Valencia, the Community of Madrid and elsewhere.
Early calculations on the money loss to public finances were estimated at a minimum of € 120 millions. However, some of the alleged bribes were not particularly large; for example, items of clothing allegedly given to Francisco Camps
over several years were worth some € 14,000.
, who had five suspects including Francisco Correa detained in February 2009. Subsequently, Judge Garzón was indicted for violating lawyer-client privilege by recording conversations between detained suspects and their lawyers, and other judges have been involved with the case.
After a partial dismissal of the case in 2009, the Supreme Court of Spain
ordered it to be reopened. Meanwhile Correa remained in prison on remand
. By the summer of 2011 the investigation was deemed to be nearly complete and Judge Pedreira set bail at 15,000,000 euros, reportedly the second largest figure in Spanish legal history. Correa's legal team appealed the bail sum, saying that it was not based on an objective assessment of their client's wealth.
of 2010 for investigative journalism
relating to Gurtel. Público
, a newspaper which like El País has a center-left stance, has also given a lot of coverage to the case. Reactions to the scandal have often divided on party political lines, although it has been argued that underlying problem is not a party political one, but rather a system which does not require transparency in the award of contracts.
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
scandal in Spain. The investigative operation was given the name Gürtel in a cryptic reference to one of the principal suspects, Francisco Correa (Correa means belt in English, Gürtel in German). Correa is a businessman who cultivated links with officers of the People's Party
People's Party (Spain)
The People's Party is a conservative political party in Spain.The People's Party was a re-foundation in 1989 of the People's Alliance , a party led and founded by Manuel Fraga Iribarne, a former Minister of Tourism during Francisco Franco's dictatorship...
(PP), Spain major right-wing party, some of which have been forced to resign or have been suspended. An investigation began in 2007 after information was obtained from a whistle-blower. The case came to public attention in early 2009.
Among the accusations are bribery
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
, money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
and tax evasion
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities to evade taxes by illegal means. Tax evasion usually entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to reduce their tax liability,...
implicating a circle of businessmen lead by Francisco Correa and politicians belonging to the People's Party. The alleged illicit activities related to party funding and the award of contracts by local/regional government in Valencia, the Community of Madrid and elsewhere.
Early calculations on the money loss to public finances were estimated at a minimum of € 120 millions. However, some of the alleged bribes were not particularly large; for example, items of clothing allegedly given to Francisco Camps
Francisco Camps
Francisco Enrique Camps Ortiz is a Spanish politician belonging to the Partido Popular who served as President of the Generalitat Valenciana, the Valencian regional administration, in the period 2003-2011.-Biography:...
over several years were worth some € 14,000.
Judicial process
A judicial investigation was started by prominent judge Baltasar GarzonBaltasar Garzón
Baltasar Garzón Real is a Spanish jurist who served on Spain's central criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional. He was the examining magistrate of the Juzgado Central de Instrucción No...
, who had five suspects including Francisco Correa detained in February 2009. Subsequently, Judge Garzón was indicted for violating lawyer-client privilege by recording conversations between detained suspects and their lawyers, and other judges have been involved with the case.
After a partial dismissal of the case in 2009, the Supreme Court of Spain
Supreme Court of Spain
The Supreme Court of Spain is the highest court in Spain for all matters not pertaining to the Spanish Constitution. The court which meets in the Convent of the Salesas Reales in Madrid, consists of a president and an indeterminate number of magistrates appointed to the five chambers of the...
ordered it to be reopened. Meanwhile Correa remained in prison on remand
Remand
The term remand may be used to describe an action by an appellate court in which it remands, or sends back, a case to the trial court or lower appellate court for action....
. By the summer of 2011 the investigation was deemed to be nearly complete and Judge Pedreira set bail at 15,000,000 euros, reportedly the second largest figure in Spanish legal history. Correa's legal team appealed the bail sum, saying that it was not based on an objective assessment of their client's wealth.
Media coverage
Spanish leading newspaper El Pais won the Ortega y Gasset AwardOrtega y Gasset Awards
The Ortega y Gasset Journalism Awards are named after the Spanish philosopher and journalist José Ortega y Gasset. The awards were created by the newspaper El País in 1984....
of 2010 for investigative journalism
Investigative journalism
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism...
relating to Gurtel. Público
Público (Spain)
Público is a Spanish daily national newspaper launched on September 26, 2007. It is owned by the media group Mediapro....
, a newspaper which like El País has a center-left stance, has also given a lot of coverage to the case. Reactions to the scandal have often divided on party political lines, although it has been argued that underlying problem is not a party political one, but rather a system which does not require transparency in the award of contracts.
Further reading
- Giles TremlettGiles TremlettGiles Tremlett is an author, journalist and broadcaster. He is the Madrid correspondent for the Guardian newspaper and a regular contributor to The Economist. He is also a current affairs commentator for Spain's state-owned TVE television and for the country's biggest radio station, Cadena SER.He...
(6 March 2009), Spanish opposition party rocked by corruption scandal, The Guardian