An investigation conducted by the prestigious anti-corruption squad in Spain, the UCO (Central Operational Unit of the Guardia Civil), has implicated the infrastructure behemoth Acciona in an extensive scheme of political corruption purportedly orchestrated from the highest levels of the Socialist Party (PSOE). The investigators claim that the corporation disbursed large sums in illegal kickbacks to clinch significant government contracts. Allegedly, these bribes were channeled via political figures closely associated with ex-minister José Luis Ábalos and the party’s past Organization Secretary, Santos Cerdán.
Over €600,000 in Illicit Payments
The UCO report outlines a series of payments amounting to a minimum of €620,000 related to certain governmental contracts granted to Acciona. These financial transactions were said to be organized via intermediaries connected to Ábalos and his close collaborator Koldo García, with the entire scheme managed and orchestrated by Santos Cerdán.
Investigators also uncovered evidence of an additional €450,000 in pending bribes tied to three further public contracts, suggesting that the alleged corruption network was not isolated but ongoing, even after early signs of irregularities began to emerge.
Agreements Customized to Benefit Acciona
The agreements under discussion encompass major infrastructure initiatives carried out from 2018 to 2021, including roads, railway constructions, and public transport networks, mostly in areas managed by the PSOE. As reported by the UCO, these bids were manipulated with specific technical criteria that effectively barred competitors, securing Acciona’s victory.
The document describes the procedure as part of a “meticulously orchestrated framework” where political influence was leveraged to manipulate the bidding process in return for monetary incentives.
The Key Role of Santos Cerdán
One significant aspect of the UCO investigation is the involvement assigned to Santos Cerdán. The report claims that Cerdán not only was aware of the corruption operation but also oversaw the coordination and allocation of payments. Documented conversations and evidence highlight him as the key political person organizing the connection between corporate interests and top-tier political power.
Based on the findings of the researchers, Cerdán was responsible for managing the talks, distributing shares, and serving as the intermediary between the granting officials and the recipients of the plan.
Institutional Silence and Internal Reviews
Acciona has begun an internal investigation, making a public effort to separate itself from any misconduct. An ex-executive, reportedly connected to the plan, has already departed from the firm. While Acciona denies knowledge of any misconduct, the UCO report indicates the opposite, depicting a scenario where the company either engaged in or ignored unethical behavior.
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 findings in the UCO report are quite clear: Acciona is supposedly involved in a larger politically driven scheme aimed at obtaining bribes in return for public contracts worth millions of euros. Should this be validated, the case would reveal an extensive corruption network embedded not just among political actors but also within the agencies tasked with overseeing 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.
