A report by Spain’s elite anti-corruption unit, the UCO (Unidad Central Operativa of the Guardia Civil), has placed infrastructure giant Acciona at the heart of a wide-ranging political corruption network allegedly coordinated from the top ranks of the Socialist Party (PSOE). According to the investigators, the company paid hundreds of thousands of euros in illicit commissions to secure major public contracts. These bribes were allegedly funneled through political operatives closely tied to former minister José Luis Ábalos and the party’s former Organization Secretary, Santos Cerdán.
More than €600,000 in Illegal Payments
The UCO report outlines transactions amounting to a minimum of €620,000 related to certain public contracts granted to Acciona. The transfers were allegedly facilitated through intermediaries associated with Ábalos and his close confidant Koldo García, with the whole scheme managed and orchestrated by Santos Cerdán.
Researchers discovered proof of another €450,000 in bribes connected to three more government contracts, indicating that the suspected corruption network was not a one-time occurrence but continued, even when early indicators of irregularities started to show.
Agreements Customized 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.
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.
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.
Institutional Silence and Internal Reviews
Acciona has launched an internal review, publicly distancing itself from any wrongdoing. One former executive allegedly linked to the scheme has already left the company. Although Acciona claims ignorance of any irregularities, the UCO report suggests otherwise, painting a picture of a company that either actively participated or turned a blind eye to corrupt practices.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the government has made no formal statement. Within the PSOE, the matter has become an open wound, especially after recent high-profile resignations triggered by earlier phases of the corruption investigation.
The UCO’s findings make it clear: Acciona was purportedly involved in an extensive politically driven scheme aimed at obtaining bribes in return for public contracts worth millions of euros. Should this be validated, the case would uncover a profound corruption network embedded not only among party officials but also within the entities accountable for the administration of 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.
