Update on the Valencia corruption investigation and key defendants
Four years after the arrests began and nearly seven years since the first inquiries started, the head of the Investigation Court closed eight cases. The sprawling case surrounding Eduardo Zaplana and his inner circle, including two members of the Cotino family and another former president of the Generalitat, José Luis Olivas, progressed toward a formal end. A broad team of collaborators was implicated as the magistrate issued an abbreviated procedural order. This order allows the defenses and prosecutors to pursue oral proceedings, seek dismissal, or request limited additional actions as necessary. The development follows a long arc of information gathering and legal maneuvering that has appeared in numerous sources over the years.
The judge named ex-presidents Eduardo Zaplana, José Luis Olivas, Vicente Cotino, and José Cotino Escrivá along with two alleged Zaplana associates, Joaquín Barceló and Francisco Grau, among as many as twenty people connected to the case. In a notable turn, the judge decided to drop charges against a woman and one of Zaplana’s daughters. The order notes that proving involvement would be unlikely. Other relatives and associates connected to holding roles in network companies were also mentioned as not showing clear evidence of illicit financial backing. [citation: Levante-EMV] The document suggests no conclusions about whether Zaplana’s family members had knowledge of illicit funds used to purchase vehicles or other assets. The overall assessment indicates no clear links to spouses of other examined individuals in this regard.
“Olivas asked me to help Zaplana and he asked me for an ‘effort’ to refinance a company.”
The case file reveals that the investigation is deeply entwined with the political leadership of the period. The sequence of events traces back to May 22, 2018, when Eduardo Zaplana, then head of the Generalitat and a former minister, was arrested at his Valencia home on Pascual and Genís streets by agents from the Civil Guard’s Central Operations Unit. This operation, code-named Barren, targeted a cluster of allegations related to Zaplana and his close circle. The charges centered on potential rewards tied to an array of municipal and regional initiatives, including a wind energy program and vehicle inspections. The case stands as one of the most extensive and intricate corruption investigations in the Valencian Community, touching multiple sectors and stakeholders. The investigation has been conducted with a wide scope and international implications, led by the Eighth Investigation Court of Valencia and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in collaboration with the UCO. It has unfolded largely in secrecy for more than two years before surfacing in public discourse. [citation: local press archives]
Public statements from Erial investigators and the scope of charges
The authorities on the case have indicated that no person under investigation has been prevented from working or blocked due to proceedings. They have asserted that individuals retain their own businesses and professional activities as the investigation unfolds. The body of evidence collected points to a wide array of alleged offenses typically seen in corruption cases, spanning money laundering, bribery, document fraud, embezzlement of public funds, influence peddling, contract-related fraud, and tax offenses. The aim is to establish a comprehensive view of the alleged misconduct and how it might have influenced public contracts and financial flows. [citation: official briefings] For years, investigators have gathered data that show recoveries of funds linked to the case. While the total amount under investigation has been substantial, a significant portion has been recovered. Roughly eleven million euros were traced to the actions of Cotino or Zaplana, with a large share deposited into a court account following a protracted process of verification and confession. A noted figure from Uruguay, Fernando Belhot, is cited as an intermediary who purportedly received funds belonging to Zaplana, illustrating the international dimension of the allegations. [citation: financial records]
The investigative narrative shows the persistence of authorities in piecing together complex financial networks and the roles played by various actors over an extended period. The implications extend beyond regional politics and touch on broader questions about governance and accountability in public institutions. As the proceedings move forward, observers watch for patterns common to major corruption inquiries, including how funds are routed, how influence is exercised, and how legal processes respond to large-scale financial irregularities. [citation: court statements]