Owner and CEO of Plus Ultra Arrested in Money Laundering Investigation
National Police officers arrested Julio Martínez, the owner of Plus Ultra, and CEO Roberto Roselli on Thursday. According to sources close to the case cited by EFE, the officers entered the company’s headquarters in search of documentation as part of an investigation into an alleged money laundering offense. The operation is part of a case opened by the Investigating Court number 15 of Madrid, which is currently under seal.
Throughout the morning, several police officers went to the company’s main offices to gather financial information. Before the arrests were known, company representatives stated they were collaborating with authorities and handing over the requested data, focused on the economic and financial sphere. The company insisted it was not a raid, but a request for specific materials.
Investigation Parallel to Another Recent Case
The consulted sources emphasized that this investigation is not related to the arrest, one day earlier, of former socialist member Leire Díez, the ex-president of SEPI Vicente Fernández, and businessman Antxon Alonso for alleged irregularities in public contracts. Although both proceedings coincide in time, they are being conducted independently.
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Background: 53-Million-Euro Public Bailout
The same Investigating Court number 15 had previously examined the 53-million-euro bailout granted to the airline through loans from the Fund for the Support of Strategic Company Solvency. The aid was approved by the Government via a royal decree dated March 9, 2021.
That case was ultimately closed with the backing of the Provincial Court of Madrid. The investigating magistrate concluded there were insufficient grounds to support the commission of crimes. She considered that the regulations supporting the economy and employment were applied correctly and ruled out criminal conduct such as embezzlement, bribery, misconduct, influence peddling, or subsidy fraud, as alleged in the complaints filed by Manos Limpias, the PP, and Vox.
The proceedings were then directed against the acting president of SEPI, Bartolomé Lara, and the board of directors, although they ultimately led to no judicial action.
A Developing Case
The investigation into possible money laundering now affecting Plus Ultra continues under seal. Meanwhile, the airline assures it is facilitating everything requested. As the process moves forward, more details regarding the scope of the ongoing actions will become known.
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