A Spanish court has ordered Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), the country’s second-largest bank, to stand trial alongside its former chairman, Francisco González, over allegations of corporate espionage. The judicial decision, handed down on Thursday, follows a lengthy investigation into the bank’s suspected use of a disgraced former police chief to conduct illegal surveillance operations.
The Charges and Scope of the Investigation
The proceedings center on the bank’s alleged engagement of Jose Manuel Villarejo, a retired police commissioner who has been at the heart of multiple high-profile corruption scandals in Spain. Prosecutors allege that BBVA contracted the former officer’s private investigation firm, Cenyt, to perform illicit intelligence-gathering tasks.
The scope of the alleged spying included the wiretapping of business figures, journalists, and politicians. Investigators are examining whether these activities were commissioned to protect the bank’s interests during contentious corporate maneuvers, including a 2004 attempt by the construction company Sacyr to take over the bank. The court’s order confirms that there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial against both the legal entity of BBVA and its former leadership, marking a significant escalation in a case that has shadowed the institution for years.
Institutional and Personal Stakes
Francisco González, who led BBVA from 2000 until his resignation in 2018, faces serious legal jeopardy as the primary figure accused of overseeing the relationship with Villarejo. The bank itself has been formally indicted as a legal entity, which could result in significant financial penalties and reputational damage if a conviction is secured.
Throughout the investigation, BBVA has maintained that it has cooperated with judicial authorities. The bank previously commissioned an internal forensic audit to examine its historical dealings with Cenyt and has stated it is committed to transparency regarding the events in question. However, the court’s decision to move to trial indicates that the judiciary remains unsatisfied with the bank’s internal handling of the affair and requires a formal public accounting of the alleged corporate misconduct.
Next Procedural Steps
The court’s decision settles the preliminary investigative phase, transitioning the matter into the trial stage of the Spanish criminal justice system. While the court has cleared the path for the trial, both the prosecution and the defense teams are now expected to file final motions regarding the admissibility of specific evidence and the list of witnesses to be called.
No date has been set for the commencement of the trial. The court is currently managing the scheduling of various high-stakes corruption cases involving the former police commissioner, which continues to occupy the central criminal courts in Madrid. Until the trial begins, the bank and its former executives remain under the jurisdiction of the court, pending the formal notification of the hearing schedule.
