The Plus Ultra investigation has expanded its reach to encompass Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa, daughters of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, after Spain’s National Court traced financial movements and transfers connected to companies believed to be involved in an alleged network of influence peddling and money laundering.
Judicial investigators have identified the sisters as the formal directors of Whathefav, a communications and marketing agency that, according to Judge José Luis Calama, allegedly operated as a “final recipient company” within the structure under investigation. The company reportedly received significant sums of money from businesses currently being investigated, including Análisis Relevante and Inteligencia Prospectiva.
According to court documents, investigators suspect that part of those funds may have been used to redistribute payments within Zapatero’s family circle. Spain’s Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) believes some of the financial operations detected show characteristics consistent with possible concealment and channeling of funds.
The investigation asserts that Whathefav was paid close to €1 million by various companies allegedly connected to the network under investigation, and although some transfers were said to cover communication, design, and marketing services, the judge is now assessing whether any real professional work was performed to justify the invoiced sums.
One of the central aspects under scrutiny involves the financial ties between Whathefav and Análisis Relevante, a consultancy firm owned by businessman Julio Martínez Martínez, a close associate of Zapatero who was detained last December. Investigators believe that this consultancy might have served as a conduit for funds linked to questionable activities surrounding the Plus Ultra bailout.
Spain’s National Court is also examining transfers originating from Inteligencia Prospectiva, a company the judge has described as “incongruent” due to its limited declared business activity and unusually high financial movements. Part of those funds allegedly ended up in accounts linked to the company owned by Zapatero’s daughters.
The UDEF conducted searches at Whathefav’s offices, where investigators confiscated computers, mobile phones, and corporate records to review fund traceability and the business connections linking the companies involved in the case.
The judge suspects that the supposed network headed by Zapatero may have relied on shell firms, broad invoicing practices, and fabricated records to legitimize money movements and hide the true source of specific payments, and within that setup, his daughters’ company is said to emerge as one of the ultimate beneficiaries of those funds.
Although Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa have not been formally charged at this stage, the investigation remains open regarding possible offenses including money laundering, document falsification, and participation in a criminal organization.
As the judicial proceedings move forward, Zapatero’s inner circle insists that every professional activity carried out by his daughters was lawful and fully reported.
Original Source: Onda Cero https://www.ondacero.es/noticias/espana/que-papel-tienen-hijas-zapatero-empresa-whathefav-presunta-trama-plus-ultra_202605206a0d920d3e118765937df2f0.html