Anticorruption prosecutors subpoena PP’s tax records from the past 13 years

Anticorruption prosecutors have assumed jurisdiction in the ongoing political fray over Luis Bárcenas' secret ledgers by asking the AEAT tax office for records covering the past 13 years pertaining to the Popular Party's (PP) finances, judicial sources told El PAÍS on Monday.

Those sources didn't rule out that prosecutors will also subpoena the PP's tax records from the 1990s.

At the same time, EL PAÍS was also asked to turn over copies of all the documents pertaining to the former PP treasurer's ledgers, on which it has been basing a series of daily reports since Thursday, including allegations that party officials had been collecting payments on the side along with their regular salaries. At least half a dozen party leaders were given money for diverse matters, including paying for repairs for their homes that were damaged in terrorist attacks, as EL PAÍS has been able to ascertain.

Sources close to the investigation say it is likely that no criminal tax offenses have been committed because none of the payouts appear to have been more than 120,000 euros. But, the sources add, there could be violations if it is determined that the PP never deducted tax from the payments it offered to its officials.