José Luis Ábalos Faces Supreme Court Over Financial Misconduct Allegations Amid Legal Turmoil

José Luis Ábalos, former Minister of Transport, made his fourth appearance before the Supreme Court on October 15, 2025, in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations of irregular income and bribery linked to public works commissions. Arriving at the court alone by taxi 45 minutes before his hearing, Ábalos faced heightened scrutiny by Judge Leopoldo Puente following a report from the Guardia Civil’s Central Operational Unit (UCO) that reinforced suspicions of criminal activity involving non-transparent management of assets and suspected public contract manipulation.

The case, spanning nearly a year, initially focused on possible rigging in medical supply contracts during the pandemic and has since expanded to encompass a broader bribery scheme allegedly involving public works contracts. The UCO report revealed that Ábalos’s former ministerial advisor managed substantial cash reserves on his behalf without documented reimbursement of personal expenditures, deepening the investigation's complexity.

Meanwhile, Ábalos was embroiled in a legal dispute with his long-time lawyer José Aníbal Álvarez. Shortly before the hearing, Ábalos withdrew his lawyer and requested court-appointed public defense, a move the judge interpreted as an attempt to stall the process and subsequently denied. As a result, the judge mandated that Ábalos either cooperate with Álvarez or appoint another lawyer within three days. Despite strained communication, Ábalos appeared in court accompanied by Álvarez under direct judicial instruction.

Current restrictions against Ábalos include passport withdrawal, a prohibition on leaving Spain, and mandatory biweekly court appearances, with preventive imprisonment under consideration pending further proceedings. Ábalos’s decision to testify or exercise his right to silence remains uncertain. The judge announced that a hearing to reconsider precautionary measures will proceed following Ábalos's testimony, signaling critical developments in the unfolding case.