MADRID — A Spanish judge on Wednesday demanded that the son-in-law of King Juan Carlos and his former business partner post bond of $11 million as the state deepens its investigation into whether they embezzled millions of dollars in public money allocated to sports and tourism events.
The son-in-law, Iñaki Urdangarin, has not been formally charged, but he was subpoenaed last year, becoming the first member of the royal family to appear in court in modern Spanish history. Mr. Urdangarin and his main business partner, Diego Torres, as well as others involved in the sports and tourism events have denied wrongdoing.
Mr. Urdangarin, a former professional handball player, became Duke of Palma in 1997 upon marrying Princess Cristina, the youngest daughter of the king. Investigators are seeking to determine if Mr. Urdangarin misused his royal credentials in securing contracts from regional authorities to organize sports events for children and other activities through his private Noós Institute and then siphoned off contract fees.
Mr. Urdangarin has denied any link between his business activities and the rest of the royal family, and issued an apology last year for causing “serious damage” to the family. The royal household suspended him in late 2011 from attending official functions, declaring him persona non grata. He was removed from the royal family’s Web site this month.
While the royal household has tried to distance itself from the case, the judge, José Castro, has extended his investigation and recently subpoenaed Carlos García Revenga, the personal secretary of the king’s daughters, Elena and Cristina. Mr. Revenga is expected to appear in court on Feb. 23, same day as Mr. Urdangarin.
Bail Is Set at $11 Million for King Juan Carlos’s Son-in-Law
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Bail Is Set at $11 Million for King Juan Carlos’s Son-in-Law
