Tarragona is at the centre of a Spanish High Court investigation that links a proposed Hard Rock project deal in Camp de Tarragona to an alleged influence peddling and money laundering scheme involving former Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
According to El Periódico, and confirmed by ACN, the court order refers to a contract signed on 1 October 2021 between two companies and Zapatero’s alleged intermediary, Julio Martínez. The document describes work to seek business opportunities and sets out a 3% consideration.
The judge says the Hard Rock project was valued at €2 billion, but also notes that no payment is recorded in relation to this operation. The order adds that the contacts may not have gone ahead.
Documents from UDEF reports also show Martínez signed contracts for Grupo Aldesa and for his own company, Consulenza Strategica. He reportedly asked for the word commission to be removed from the contract. The judge says this could point to payments being described in other ways, such as advisory services, to hide their real economic nature.
The court order says this pattern matches what has been seen in other companies, and supports the idea of a strategy to hide or disguise payments through commercial contracts. It also details payments from Plus Ultra to the alleged scheme.
According to the judge, the airline paid nearly €4 million between 2020 and 2025 to companies linked to Julio Martínez Martínez and his corporate circle associated with Zapatero. Those companies include Análisis Relevante, Whathefav, Gate Center, Inteligencia Prospectiva and Softgestor. The judge says many had limited or poorly accredited activity, but moved large sums through cross-billing, advisory contracts and internal transfers.
The order also says Plus Ultra started paying Análisis Relevante the day after SEPI granted it €53 million in public aid. The judge considers it notable that some contracts were signed before the rescue was finally approved, which he interprets as possible prior knowledge of the administrative decision. The investigation is continuing.