“The Supreme Court has confirmed the prison sentences for Bárcenas and the architect of Genoa’s reform, although it reduces the sentences imposed.”
The Supreme Court reduced the sentences imposed in the case known as the “Bárcenas Papers”, but confirmed the Popular Party’s subsidiary civil liability. This decision means that the PP must assume responsibility for the payment of damages in connection with the illegal financing scheme within the party.
The Supreme Court has revised the National Court’s previous ruling from 2021, in which several people involved, including Luis Bárcenas, former treasurer of the PP, were convicted of crimes related to the party’s Box B. Although the Court has decided to reduce a number of sentences, the idea remains that the PP has benefited from this parallel accountability.
Thus, the Criminal Chamber essentially confirms the ruling of the National Court that convicted the two directors of Unifica, the studio responsible for implementing the reforms at the PP headquarters in Genoa, for a crime of tax fraud, as well as the former treasurer. the PP Luis Bárcenas as a necessary collaborator by facilitating fraud by making a certain percentage of the due payments in an opaque manner with black money.
Because it also confirms the subsidiary civil liability of both Unifica and the PP (only up to the amount defrauded attributable to payments in B), as this statement was not the subject of dispute.
Now, for minor issues of a predominantly technical nature, the Chamber reduces the prison sentences from 2 years and 9 months to 9 months for the two main perpetrators and from 2 years to 8 months for Bárcenas. The fines will be 200,000 euros for each of the two administrators and 180,000 euros for the former treasurer.
The confirmation of the PP’s subsidiary civil liability is a symbolic blow to the party, as it implies the judicial ratification of illegal financing. This Supreme Court ruling closes a new chapter in one of the most emblematic cases of political corruption in Spain, which has had a significant impact on the public perception of the political class and in particular the Popular Party.
Source: EITB
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
