Jorge Fernandez received Rato at the headquarters of Interior just days after go to testify in Court
It was still settling what was the judicial authority would take the reins of the case called Rato, when he was deputy prime minister and chairman of Bankia contacted the head of the Department of State Security. I wanted to see and they were. As explained by sources close to the audience, the Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez, received at the headquarters of the Department Rodrigo Rato on 29 July. Days before, 22 the former vice president had gone to court to testify. The meeting was held from Interior- -insisten after checking Rato.
It lasted for about two hours, according to these sources, avoided referring to the matters discussed. The word that describes the interior environment of the meeting is "intimacy". Remember from the Department of Jorge Fernandez both known for many years, but eluded put this interview on the level of friendship.
The Ministry, trying to overcome misunderstandings, want to make clear that the Department is not in charge of police and judicial investigations involving former Deputy Prime Minister. Research is clear that neither in the hands of the National Police and Civil Guard, but piloted by the Tax Agency, for their service Customs Surveillance. Were effective in this organization that led action against Rato, who searched his home and that, placing his hand on his head, they helped move Rato to drive from home to the office, leaving an image that has become in the instant of the operation against Rato. From Interior he insists that there is "nothing to hide" over this meeting.
The meeting took place when you were still being resolved what would be the competent authority to carry out the investigation, which has finally gone to the High Court to have appreciated the Inland Revenue, the prosecution and the judge evidence of a crime of money laundering committed abroad. Rodrigo Rato is accused by these facts.
Specifically, the meeting took place just days after former Vice President went to testify as a defendant in the courts of Plaza de Castilla. Rato denied that day the crimes of which he is accused and took advantage of their right not to testify. He explained to the judge, he will not even know the content of the new report that the National Fraud Investigation Office (ONIF) is doing, after analyzing the 40,000 documents that were seized from Rato last April.