BBVA Villarejo Trial
National Court Opens Trial Against BBVA and Former Chairman Francisco González in Villarejo Case
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Spain's Audiencia Nacional has opened a criminal trial against BBVA, its former president Francisco González, and 14 other former executives and police officers. El Periódico reported that Judge Antonio Piña issued the ruling after an investigation into allegedly illegal services hired from disgraced police commissioner José Manuel Villarejo between 2004 and 2016.
The case is one of the most significant corporate corruption trials in recent Spanish history. It places one of the country's largest banks directly in the dock, alongside top executives and senior police figures who allegedly worked with Villarejo for over a decade.
Who Is on Trial and What They Are Accused Of
The 16 defendants include BBVA as a legal entity, former president Francisco González, and 14 others made up of ex-bank directors and former police commanders. El Día reported that all are accused of commissioning unlawful work from Villarejo, a former undercover police officer who ran a network of illegal espionage operations for hire.
Villarejo, who was himself arrested in 2017, allegedly carried out surveillance, data gathering, and influence operations on behalf of paying clients. The BBVA case covers a 12-year window from 2004 to 2016. The exact nature of each alleged commission is part of what the trial will examine.
The Villarejo Scandal That Shook Spain's Elite
José Manuel Villarejo was a serving police commissioner for decades before his arrest. He secretly recorded hundreds of conversations with clients and public figures, creating a vast archive of compromising material. His arrest in November 2017 triggered one of Spain's biggest ongoing judicial investigations, touching politicians, business leaders, and security officials.
BBVA became linked to the scandal after reports emerged that the bank had paid millions of euros to companies connected to Villarejo. La Opinión de Murcia noted that the alleged payments and commissions form the core of the charges now heading to trial.
BBVA Faces Rare Corporate Criminal Liability in Spain
It is unusual in Spain for a major bank to face criminal trial as a legal entity in its own right. Under Spanish law, companies can be held criminally responsible alongside individuals. El Periódico de Aragón noted that BBVA being named as a defendant, not just its executives, marks a serious escalation in the case.
The bank has previously denied wrongdoing and has taken internal steps, including removing executives linked to the affair. However, Judge Piña's decision to open oral proceedings means the court found enough evidence to proceed. A trial date has not yet been set publicly.
What Comes Next for BBVA and Francisco González
Francisco González led BBVA from 2000 to 2018 and transformed it into a global banking giant. He has denied any knowledge of illegal activity tied to Villarejo. Diario Córdoba reported that González is among the most prominent figures to face trial in the entire Villarejo investigation across all its branches.
The opening of oral proceedings does not mean a conviction. It means the judge believes there is a case to answer. The trial itself, when it begins, will determine guilt or innocence. Given the number of defendants and the complexity of the evidence, proceedings could last months or longer.
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