The Superior Prosecutor's Office of Madrid has opened a governmental investigation into Pilar Rodríguez, chief prosecutor of the Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Madrid, and María Luisa Llop, assigned to the National Court. This decision follows their mention in conversations involving individuals under investigation in the Plus Ultra case, which examines the public bailout granted to the airline in 2021.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by the organization Iustitia Europa. Furthermore, Lastra has ordered the complaint to be forwarded to the Inspection Department of the State Attorney General's Office for an analysis of the reported facts.
Reports from the Economic and Fiscal Crimes Unit (UDEF) of the National Police include conversations where investigated parties allegedly attempted to influence the proceedings at the Court of Instruction number 15 of Madrid. According to these documents, lawyer Miguel Palomero reportedly told former Plus Ultra executive Rodolfo Reyes that he would inquire "how the judge of the 15th is", referring to magistrate Esperanza Collazos, and added that "the chief prosecutor is a friend".
The conversation recorded by the UDEF also contains the expression "we have to cut this", attributed to Palomero. Reyes reportedly responded "absolutely" and urged the lawyer to speak with "Julio" Martínez Sola, president of Plus Ultra, to "cut it", as stated in the police report. In the same context, Palomero allegedly alluded to the need to create a "Kitchen Gabinet", a phrase investigators have included in their analysis of potential maneuvers to interfere with the judicial proceedings.
It is important to note that the opening of this governmental investigation does not imply any conclusion regarding the conduct of the prosecutors mentioned. It signifies the commencement of an internal procedure to examine the complaint and the references contained within the conversations of the investigated parties.
The Superior Prosecutor's Office of Madrid will forward the complaint to the Inspection Department, which is responsible for assessing whether any further action is warranted concerning the reported events.
