Construction Director's Response Following UCO Report Mention in Cerdán Affair
Confrontation, Corruption, and Cutting Ties
Justo Vicente Pelegrini, formerly the Director of Construction for Spain at Acciona, found himself on the chopping block after being implicated in the UCO report on alleged irregularities in public tender processes. Pelegrini's name crops up in a transcript of a conversation between former Ministerial advisor Koldo García and ex-Minister of Transport, José Luis Ábalos - part of the UCO report.
Koldo: I've written to Santos, I've told him I'm going to see José for five minutes, I need you to see me for five minutes, either you see me for five minutes this week or I swear by God that I'll take a recording to Pedro that's been made in Pamplona. Because Santos, he went to the Ministry of Transport to place a couple of people from Justo, from Acciona.
Ábalos: Now?
Koldo: No, the day we were here, he was trying to talk... I don't know, and he was also with you because he was with you too.
Ábalos: When?
Koldo: The day of... of the inauguration of... of... of... of Oscar.... Didn't you see him?
Ábalos: Yes, at the inauguration.
Koldo: Yes, that's it, okay, sorry, I've explained it wrong. And he's trying to place a couple of people that Acciona has asked for, right?
Ábalos: What a bastard. Me... this time he said he had... to see Santos again he didn't specify... (inaudible) but... (inaudible), not only from Acciona but (inaudible) ... he has it registered (inaudible).
Now, this exchange wasn't your typical lighthearted banter.
In light of these revelations, Acciona has deemed it necessary to initiate proceedings for the resolution of the contracts and association agreements in force between the company and any of its subsidiaries with Servinabar 2000 S.L., the company under investigation in the case being heard in the Supreme Court for an alleged plot of contract rigging and illegal commission payments related to the so-called 'Koldo-Ábalos-Cerdán case'.
As a result, Acciona has parted ways with Pelegrini, citing non-compliance that "reveals a lack of diligence in the exercise of its management responsibilities". The decision does not presume any potential legal responsibilities nor respond to any conclusions from the internal investigation, which is still in its infancy, as stated in the document from the infrastructure company.
Acciona has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining "the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and normative compliance" and firmly rejects any illegitimate practices in contracting. However, it has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the authorities in specifying the facts.
Servinabar 2000, a company founded by entrepreneur Antxon Alonso Egurola in 2015, has been in the crosshairs of the UCO due to its potential involvement in a network of irregular public works awards. The Headquarters of Servinabar 2000 in Pamplona have been searched by the Civil Guard for documents related to these events.
The company gained substantial media attention due to the winning of large infrastructure projects, such as the widening of the Velate tunnels in Navarra, a project valued in millions of euros and embroiled in controversy due to suspected irregularities and links with political figures, notably Santos Cerdán.
The UCO's investigations into Servinabar 2000 and Antxon Alonso Egurrola's role in the 'Koldo-Ábalos-Cerdán case' are ongoing, with specific details about their involvement yet to surface. However, it's clear that they are part of a broader investigation into corruption.
The average citizen may find the ongoing 'Koldo-Ábalos-Cerdán case' and the potential implication of Acciona in general-news segments, as the company is entangled in a network of irregular public works awards. Interestingly, Acciona's departure from Justo Vicente Pelegrini comes amidst allegations of non-compliance and illegitimate practices in contracting, which has cast a shadow over the crime-and-justice sector.
