Former Iberdrola controller José Antonio del Olmo, whose testimony sparked the high‑profile “Iberdrola case,” has secured a decisive endorsement from Spain’s Supreme Court. The ruling gives him a legal shield as he battles a series of lawsuits launched by the utility since 2020.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court support: The top court affirmed del Olmo’s right to obtain internal documents to expose alleged irregularities.
- Years of litigation: Iberdrola has filed multiple proceedings against the former executive, accusing him of wrongdoing.
- Villarejo connection: Del Olmo supplied key evidence in the broader Villarejo investigation, which implicated Iberdrola’s chairman José Ignacio Sánchez Galán.
- Investigated status: He spent a year under formal investigation before the Supreme Court decision.
- Strategic defense: Armed with the ruling, del Olmo aims to dismantle the utility’s legal offensives.
Supreme Court Ruling Provides a Legal Shield
The court’s judgment confirms that del Olmo may access company information when it serves the public interest of uncovering corporate misconduct. This precedent blocks Iberdrola’s attempts to silence him through civil and criminal actions.
Background of the Villarejo Probe
Del Olmo’s cooperation with Judge Villarejo’s anti‑corruption probe delivered documents that put Iberdrola’s president, José Ignacio Sánchez Galán, under scrutiny. The revelations triggered a media storm and prompted authorities to open a formal investigation into the executive.