Bill proposes tougher punishment for political corruption

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill would extend the time limits for prosecuting crimes such as bribery, embezzlement or abuse of office when public officials are involved. Prescription means a crime can no longer be punished after a certain time passes.
2. It would add four new crimes related to political party funding: falsifying party accounts, hiding evidence of those crimes, repeatedly accepting illegal donations or failing to file accounts, and making donations that break the funding law.
3. The bill would bring back the pre-2012 version of the tax fraud offense, so that anyone who regularizes their tax situation before the tax authorities come after them would be exempt from criminal liability. The threshold for the crime would be 50,000 euros.
4. It would create a new crime of unjustified enrichment: a public official whose wealth grows during their time in office and who cannot explain where the money came from could face six months to one year in prison and a fine.

Who it affects

• Public officials and civil servants: They could face longer prosecution periods and a new crime if they cannot justify the origin of their wealth.
• Party representatives and managers: New prison terms and fines for falsifying accounts, accepting illegal donations or failing to file accounts.
• Individuals or companies donating to parties: They could be punished for donations that break the party funding law.
• Tax fraudsters: They could avoid punishment if they regularize their situation in time, but the crime applies above 50,000 euros.

Words worth knowing

Prescripción (prescription)

A crime can no longer be prosecuted after a set period of time has passed since it was committed.

Prevaricación (abuse of office)

When a judge or public official knowingly issues unfair rulings or decisions.

Cohecho (bribery)

When an official asks for or accepts gifts or money in exchange for doing or not doing something in their position.

Malversación de caudales públicos (embezzlement of public funds)

When an official uses public money for purposes other than those it was allocated for.

Hacienda Pública (Public Treasury)

The income and spending of the state, regional governments and local councils, in other words, everyone's money.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries