Songbird's cash-laundering trial opens
Isabel Pantoja accused of stashing away 1.8 million euros in Marbella kickbacks
A lawyer for Spanish copla singer Isabel Pantoja asked a judge in Málaga on Thursday to drop money-laundering charges filed against her because she was arrested on the assumption of guilt by association.
Pantoja, along with former Marbella Mayor Julián Muñoz, his former wife Mayte Zaldívar and several others, are on trial in a Málaga provincial court on charges relating to the massive Operation Malaya property kickback and bribes scheme that was allegedly going on in the Costa del Sol resort for years.
The ex-girlfriend of Muñoz, Pantoja is specifically charged with helping the former mayor of hiding at least 1.8 million euros in cash he received between January and June 2003. This money was allegedly the result of kickbacks from developers and others Muñoz received in exchange for modifying the building codes in Marbella.
"This case was brought against her on mere suspicion," said Pantoja's lawyer, José Ángel Galán. "This is a case that has characteristics of an inquisition, with a secret case file that is unnecessary, and continued media scrutiny."
Pantoja became internationally famous following the 1984 death of her husband, the bullfighter Francisco "Paquirri" Rivera, who was killed in the ring. She has repeatedly maintained her innocence.
Since the case first exploded in late 2005, with the arrests of the former and current Marbella City Hall officials, the media, and in particular Spain's late-night gossip shows, have focused relentlessly on Pantoja's connection to Muñoz. She was arrested on May 2, 2007.
At least 11 buses arrived at the Málaga courthouse, bringing in members of various chapters of her fan clubs across Spain to support her.
The trial continues on Friday.
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