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Spain Holds Former Party Treasurer in Tax Investigation Spain Holds Former Party Treasurer in Tax Investigation
(34 minutes later)
MADRID — The former treasurer of Spain’s ruling Popular Party, Luis Bárcenas, was being held in jail on Friday as part of a tax fraud investigation after a judge decided that he presented a flight risk.MADRID — The former treasurer of Spain’s ruling Popular Party, Luis Bárcenas, was being held in jail on Friday as part of a tax fraud investigation after a judge decided that he presented a flight risk.
Judge Pablo Ruz ordered late Thursday that Mr. Bárcenas be held without bail until a possible trial. No date has been set. The judge, Pablo Ruz, ordered late Thursday that Mr. Bárcenas be held without bail until a possible trial. No date has been set.
The former treasurer has been at the center of a widening corruption investigation that is threatening to implicate the leadership of the party, including Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.The former treasurer has been at the center of a widening corruption investigation that is threatening to implicate the leadership of the party, including Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
In January, Swiss authorities informed Spanish officials that Mr. Bárcenas had amassed millions in secret bank accounts. Since then, the total has risen to about 47 million euros, or about $61 milliion, officials say, and prosecutors are investigating whether Mr. Bárcenas had undeclared funds hidden in countries like the United States and Uruguay. In January, Swiss authorities informed Spanish officials that Mr. Bárcenas had amassed millions in secret bank accounts. Since then, the total has risen to about 47 million euros, or about $61 million, officials say, and prosecutors are investigating whether Mr. Bárcenas had undeclared funds hidden in countries like the United States and Uruguay.
Mr. Bárcenas spent Thursday night in the Soto del Real prison outside Madrid. His lawyers said they would appeal the judge’s decision and argue that their client was not a flight risk.Mr. Bárcenas spent Thursday night in the Soto del Real prison outside Madrid. His lawyers said they would appeal the judge’s decision and argue that their client was not a flight risk.
Mr. Rajoy, informed of the jailing while attending a European summit meeting in Brussels, had no immediate comment.Mr. Rajoy, informed of the jailing while attending a European summit meeting in Brussels, had no immediate comment.
Mr. Bárcenas is being investigated for various alleged irregularities, but the most serious allegation is that he ran a slush fund that made regular payments to Mr. Rajoy and other senior party officials. Mr. Bárcenas is being investigated over accusations of irregularities, but the most serious allegation is that he ran a slush fund that made regular payments to Mr. Rajoy and other senior party officials.
The money-laundering inquiry is also focusing on whether the former treasurer was linked to a network of businessmen who allegedly made secret payments and gave gifts to politicians in exchange for public contracts. The money-laundering inquiry is also focusing on whether Mr. Bárcenas was linked to a network of businessmen who are accused of making secret payments and giving gifts to politicians in exchange for public contracts.