Víctor de Aldama assured this Wednesday before the Supreme Court that Koldo García conveyed to him the need to "help" certain construction companies to win public works tenders and that, always according to his account, this operation was linked to the financing of the PSOE. The statement is part of the trial against Aldama, Koldo García, and José Luis Ábalos themselves.
During his appearance, Aldama explained that Koldo García told him that they wanted to introduce him to several construction companies. In that context, he placed a specific phrase that he attributes to the former advisor. "You will know many of them," he told him, before proposing, according to his version, that some companies had to be favored in Ministry tenders.
The supposed aid to construction companies and cash
Aldama has stated before the high court that he asked how those supposed donations would be structured. According to his statement, Koldo García first responded with "we'll talk about that later." Then, always in the businessman's words, a more direct clarification came when he asked who would invoice those payments.
"This cannot be invoiced, you have to pay in cash", Aldama stated that Koldo García replied to him. He also maintained that the purpose of that aid to construction companies was so that they could obtain awards from the Ministry and, from there, achieve a "return" for the financing of the party, referring to the PSOE.
In his statement, Aldama detailed that he himself transferred cash from alleged "bribes" from construction companies. He affirmed that he personally took that cash both to the Ministry of Transport and to the home of José Luis Ábalos. These points are part of his testimony and will have to be contrasted within the framework of the judicial procedure.
The reference to Ábalos in Mexico
Aldama has also incorporated an episode set in Mexico into his appearance. He has assured that he paid there, "for the first and last time", "young ladies" for Ábalos. According to his version, that arrangement occurred after Koldo García conveyed a specific request to him.
Always according to the account presented in the Supreme Court, Koldo García told him that "something must be organized for the boss so that he relaxes" and urged him to "look for some young ladies and introduce them to the boss". Aldama has linked that request directly with José Luis Ábalos.
Wednesday's statement adds new serious accusations in a hearing examining the actions of the three investigated. For now, these are statements made in court within a process that remains open and in which the presumption of innocence applies to all defendants.