Instruction Court No. 1 in Malaga is pursuing charges related to an alleged network involving personnel from the State Tax Administration Agency (AEAT) in Malaga. Sources familiar with the investigation indicate that some documents deemed irregular were allegedly exchanged for the release of more than a thousand files, including solvency records and digital certificates, with the aim of expediting procedures for both agencies and companies.
The operation, at least for the present, has been carried out with decisive steps. A total of 31 people were arrested, among them nine Treasury officials, along with managers from agencies, consultancy firms, and independent professionals. The actions unfolded in two phases, one in April and a second at the end of June, with coordination between the National Police and AEAT. Of those detained, 15 were remanded in custody, including six public servants.
Investigations so far point to a core group of four or five officers acting on a basic scale who allegedly received orders and payments from agencies, consultants, or businesspeople for these transactions, later routing portions of the money to other government employees handling the questioned documents. The operation is said to have been ongoing for two to three years, and all involved officials are described as highly experienced in their respective roles.
Europa Press reported that payments were common and extended beyond solvency certificates to the validity of the irregular documents themselves, including digital records and certificates proving tax residency. The latter were allegedly produced without following the standard procedures, such as proper participant involvement, and related documents connected to withdrawal or deferral of liens and debts were also affected.
The case reached Malaga after a complaint from AEAT. While a fraudulent solvency certificate was being examined in Madrid, the matter escalated to a public trial. The Malaga Economic Crimes Prosecutor, under the coordination of Prosecutor Maite Verdugo, initiated the investigation that culminated in these charges, which include bribery, fraud, money laundering, and other economically oriented offenses.
National Police officers and Treasury experts are jointly examining all seized documents to identify any disordered files and procedures that might reveal the full scope of the scheme. Payments are said to range from 15 euros to several thousand euros depending on the specific document and case, with sources noting who was affected. Bribery is a crime that applies to both the payer and the recipient, underscoring the reciprocal risk inherent in the transactions.
During the searches conducted at the outset of the operation, investigators seized mobile devices and computers or hard drives. The ongoing review of these devices is expected to reveal other potential perpetrators and help clarify the mechanics behind the alleged conspiracy.
Similarly, sources close to the investigation indicated continued cooperation with AEAT. They noted that from the moment the allegations emerged, authorities maintained ongoing efforts to uncover additional offenses that might be connected to the original charges tied to the use of these documents. These lines of inquiry aim to map the true extent of the network and to identify all individuals who may have played a role in the alleged wrongdoing, including those who facilitated or benefited from the irregular procedures.