The Spanish monarchy was dragged deeper into a corruption case Wednesday when Princess Cristina was charged with tax fraud and money laundering by a judge investigating whether her husband and business associates embezzled millions in public funds earmarked for sports events.
The royal household had hoped to contain the scandal to the princess’ husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, who has been at the heart of the corruption investigation.
The charges come less than a week after Cristina’s brother ascended to the throne as King Felipe VI, succeeding his father, King Juan Carlos I.
In his proclamation speech in parliament on Thursday, Felipe VI promised lawmakers integrity and transparency, as part of “a renovated monarchy for a new time.” Neither Cristina nor Juan Carlos attended the ceremony in Parliament.
Cristina and her husband have denied wrongdoing in previous court appearances and are expected to appeal the latest charges.
The investigation has already lasted three years and has been led by José Castro, a judge based in Palma, on the Mediterranean island of Majorca. It has centered on whether Urdangarin used his royal credentials to secure inflated sports contracts from regional politicians for a foundation that he chaired, and then siphoned off millions to send to companies and offshore accounts that he and his business associates controlled.
Castro filed fraud charges against 16 people Wednesday, including Urdangarin; Diego Torres, his main former business associate; and several officials from the regional governments of the Balearic Islands and Valencia, which awarded the suspicious sports contracts. No date has yet been set for the start of the trial.
In a 167-page filing, Castro said there was sufficient evidence to believe Cristina profited personally and helped her husband with his suspect business activities.
Urdangarin faces six separate sets of charges, relating to
- fraud,
- tax evasion and
- embezzlement of public money.
Mercedes Coghen Alberdingk-Thijm, a former field hockey player who led Madrid’s failed bid to host the Olympic Games, was also among those formally charged by Castro for fraud and misappropriation of public funds.
Earlier this month, Juan Carlos, 76, said his surprise decision to abdicate in favor of his 46-year-old son was motivated by a desire to allow the next generation to “move to the front line.”
Royalists are hoping that Felipe VI, who has been untainted by the recent royal scandals, will help restore the image of the monarchy.
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