Isabel Pardo de Vera, former president of Adif, testified as a witness before Judge Leopoldo Puente, who is conducting an investigation into alleged corruption crimes committed by former minister José Luis Ábalos. Pardo de Vera revealed that Ábalos and his advisor, Koldo García, consulted her about two public works contracts from the companies Grupo Levantina and Murias, regarding pending payments for previously awarded contracts.
During her testimony in the Supreme Court, Pardo de Vera also mentioned that Ábalos was interested in the hiring processes for administrative staff at Ineco, a public company linked to the Ministry of Transport where Jessica Rodríguez, with whom Ábalos had a romantic relationship, started working in February 2019. According to Pardo de Vera, after reviewing the situation, she confirmed that everything was in order.
The former president of Adif pointed out that she complained to Ábalos about the constant presence of businessman Víctor de Aldama, who allegedly made payments to the former minister in exchange for favors for the company Soluciones de Gestión, which sought to obtain contracts to import medical supplies during the pandemic.
Isabel Pardo de Vera cooperated with the authorities and distanced herself from Ábalos during her testimony, which addressed the alleged crimes of embezzlement, bribery, influence trafficking, and membership in a criminal organization attributed to the former minister. Regarding the companies Levantina and Murias, mentioned by Víctor de Aldama in his appearance, it has been confirmed that they are related to public contracts.
In her testimony, Pardo de Vera indicated that the Basque company, Murias, appears in Aldama's documents although it is crossed out. Moreover, she revealed that Jessica Rodríguez was employed at Ineco until 2021, receiving her monthly salary despite not performing her job duties. Pardo de Vera also mentioned that she inquired about the internal hiring procedures but did not take any action on that matter.
