Zapatero Denies Influence-Peddling Scheme as Court Hunts His Crypto

Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has denied orchestrating an influence-peddling scheme tied to a $61.5 million airline bailout.

Zapatero testified on June 17 in Madrid's Audiencia Nacional court, where he faced four charges including influence peddling, money laundering, tax fraud, and smuggling.

He claimed the payments flagged by investigators were legitimate consulting fees for his daughters' agency, which had designed work related to the Plus Ultra airline rescue.

The judge has placed Zapatero at the 'apex' of an organized network, with evidence showing he ordered an offshore company set up in Dubai to manage funds eight days after the cabinet approved the aid.