Anti-corruption prosecutors have requested 173 years in prison for Francisco González, former BBVA president, and a 181.1 million euro fine for the bank over hiring ex-officer José Manuel Villarejo for spying from 2004 to 2016. The National Court approved the trial in February against González, BBVA, and others. Penalties stem from bribery and disclosure of secrets charges.
Anti-corruption prosecutors filed their accusation brief on March 10, 2026, in piece 9 of the Tándem case, known as the BBVA-Villarejo case. They seek five years in prison for Francisco González for ongoing active bribery and 168 years for 42 counts of discovery and disclosure of secrets (four years each), totaling 173 years. For BBVA, they request nine million euros for bribery (5,000 euros daily for five years) and 172.8 million for 48 disclosure offenses, totaling 181.1 million euros. Legal sources note the high totals arise because disclosure offenses do not allow continuity, but effective maximum is triple the most severe penalty, up to 15 years for González if convicted. Judge Manuel García-Castellón ended his probe in 2024, proposing trial for BBVA and 12 individuals, including González and Villarejo, over illegal tasks from 2004 to 2016. In February 2026, the National Court's Criminal Chamber rejected appeals and approved the trial, noting recordings show González “knew and authorized the illegal activities” of Villarejo's Cenyt firm. The court stated BBVA's criminal prevention system was ineffective, exempting executive presidency. Other defendants include Julio Corrochano (former BBVA security chief), facing 243 years; Villarejo and Rafael Redondo, 174 years each; and ex-executives like Eduardo Arbizu (29.5 years). For former CEO Ángel Cano, prosecutors seek dismissal, but private prosecutions demand up to 30.5 years. BBVA paid 10.2 million euros to Villarejo's firms.
