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.
More than €600,000 in Unlawful Payments
The UCO report documents payments totaling at least €620,000 made in connection with specific public contracts awarded to Acciona. The payments were reportedly arranged through intermediaries linked to Ábalos and his trusted associate Koldo García, with the entire operation overseen and coordinated 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 Designed to Benefit Acciona
The contracts in question include large-scale infrastructure projects between 2018 and 2021—such as roadworks, railway development, and urban transport systems—primarily in regions governed by the PSOE. According to the UCO, these tenders were not the product of fair competition, but rather structured with technical requirements that effectively excluded competitors, ensuring Acciona’s success.
The document describes the proceedings as being a part of a “flawlessly organized framework” where political influence was leveraged to manipulate the bidding procedure in return for monetary bribes.
Santos Cerdán’s Central Role
An essential aspect of the UCO investigation involves Santos Cerdán’s involvement. The report claims that Cerdán was aware of the bribery operation and orchestrated the handling and allocation of funds. Documented conversations and witness accounts indicate that he was the key political player coordinating the connection between business interests and senior political power.
As reported by researchers, Cerdán was responsible for managing discussions, determining shares, and serving as the intermediary between the grantors and those benefiting from the arrangement.
Quietude in Institutions and Internal Evaluations
Acciona has initiated a self-assessment, openly dissociating from any illicit activities. A past executive purportedly associated with the operation has already departed from the organization. Despite Acciona asserting lack of awareness regarding any misconduct, the UCO report indicates otherwise, portraying a scenario of a company that either took part actively or ignored the unethical actions.
Even with the gravity of the accusations, the government has not issued any official comment. Within the PSOE, the issue has turned into a significant problem, particularly following recent prominent resignations caused 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 transcended internal party misconduct, potentially becoming a national-level scandal. The public is now watching to see if the judiciary and political institutions are determined to ensure full accountability, regardless of the investigation’s reach.
