Pujol case hurts investors

The scandal that is affecting the Pujol family has snowballed and taken everything in its path, even FCC Construction. According to the police, the construction company channeled millions of euros to Jordi Pujol's son in exchange for plush government contracts for Catalonia.

A report from UDEF, an organization tasked with persecuting white collar crime, says that a remodel of the Gran Vía de L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona) was awarded to FCC and Copisa for an astounding initial price of 90 million euros. Favor after favor between both sides, especially companies that have economic interests in Catalonia. This is not the first time that a construction company has been tight with the Pujol family. Just six days ago, we published a story about its dealings with Realia, an FCC real estate company that provided a private apartment with ocean views to Pujol's youngest daughter Mireia Pujol. Curiously, the apartment got a reduced-income status from the C Catalonia government six weeks before she moved in. The judge should investigate if there were any favors going back and forth between the construction company and the Pujol family. If he does not, then the construction company will be in a tough position, because its professional credentials will be questioned, and this could affect investments in the region.

German business leaders are asking how they can work with a government that lacks transparency, and they are watching every step now. The judges need to shed light on this case in order to make sure that Catalonia pays for what the Pujol family stole.