The president of the Spanish bank BBVACarlos Torres, has been called to testify in the framework of an investigation related to alleged corporate espionage in Spainthe bank reported on Monday.
Torres, who in the past has denied any personal involvement in the case, is summoned to testify as a witness on October 16 before the National Court as part of the investigation.
The case refers to allegedly illegal work that commissioner José Manuel Villarejo carried out between 2004 and 2018 for the bank. Villarejo was on active duty in the Police but was moonlighting as a private detective.
The investigation is part of a broader investigation into Villarejo’s activities that has shaken the Spanish business sector. Villarejo has repeatedly stated that he is innocent.
The investigating judge Manuel García Castellón had called Torres after requests from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
“It is especially relevant to know if the corporate control mechanisms worked, in order to determine the existence of an effective culture of regulatory compliance, in order to clarify their criminal liability”judge’s notification.
BBVA, which did not provide further details on Monday, has said in the past that the bank was strengthening internal regulatory compliance controls and was trying “very seriously” an alleged case of espionage.
BBVA would have paid Villarejo’s agency more than 10 million euros for his services as a private investigator.
The bank, which is being investigated for bribery, disclosure of secrets and corruption, has confirmed that it hired his agency, and is also carrying out its own investigation, according to which no evidence of espionage has been found.
According to the financial institution, the case has not affected its business and it will fully cooperate with the judicial authorities.
In its 2021 annual report, BBVA said it could not predict possible outcomes or implications for the bank, including possible fines and damages or harm to its reputation.
Source: Reuters
Source: Gestion
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