The political branch of the Mediator case led by the former socialist deputy Bernardo Fuentes Curbelo, alias Tito Berni, had a number two who was none other than his nephew, Taishet Fuentes, general director of Livestock until June 2022, when he was dismissed due to loss of confidence by the canarian president
His role in the plot was essential from the moment that, as his uncle's successor, he had in his hands the ability to make sanctioning files disappear and seek a discount, in exchange for 'bites', according to the investigation. The mediator of the plot himself, Marco Antonio Navarro Taraconte, who was the liaison between the politicians and the businessmen, acknowledged in his police statement that he was the one who had the key to help the businessmen who had previously paid for the management, to through cash, transfers, trips, parties, prostitutes and meals.
When the agents broke into his house on February 14 to search him, they found an agenda with notes that are being analyzed for their significance. It is a white notebook with the cover; "Canary Islands on the horizon", handwritten by Fuentes Gutiérrez himself, to which La Vanguardia has had access.
The agents have focused on the dates where the plot was working. An example is the note of March 26, 2021. "Queso flor S.L. Valsequillo. Blocking of future subsidies. Sanctioning file".
This note refers to an FM company. Precisely, the mediator of the plot, Marco Antonio Navarro Tacoronte, explained in his police interrogation that he called Taishet Fuentes to mediate with a businessman who had threatened to "pour tankers of milk" in front of its headquarters if they did not file a sanction "approximately 1.7 million euros". Always according to Navarro, the general director came to remove the sanction, to the detriment of another businessman linked to the plot who, despite having paid, was not so lucky.
Dated April 9, it has other notes: "Next Generation. Serious to mild. Santiago Reyes 3% CTS", in relation to another Canarian cattle rancher. Or "Montesdeoca pending", in relation to another businessman who is being investigated for having paid money in addition to other types of gifts in exchange for a key disciplinary file for his company being solved because if it was maintained he would not be able to receive subsidies.
The name of another businesswoman also appears on the agenda, Inmaculada Roca, who together with her husband Esteban Banús, both of Catalan origin, are part of the group of investigators. "Mima Roca allegations", reads the note.
From the case it is clear that they made a series of payments both to the foundation linked to the former deputy, as well as to the politician himself and to others investigated in exchange for obtaining favorable treatment for his company Leche Sandra or in a photovoltaic plant.
The investigators emphasize in their reports that this couple was more "discreet" in their meetings with the leaders of the plot and there is no record that they went to eat, dine or party with them.
The nephew of the former socialist deputy replaced his uncle in March 2020 as general director of Livestock. A position in which he was until June of last year, before the case broke out. Together with Tito Berni they presumably laid the pillars of the political aspect of the plot, using his influence in Canarian politics to lower or archive sanctioning files. Both come from one of the strongest families of the PSOE, the Fuentes Curbelo.
The mediator of the plot confessed to the judge what the organization's modus operandi was like. "They managed to get seven cheese and cattle farms from the Canary Islands to make payments, both to the sports association -of which the former deputy was president- and to themselves, under the promise of obtaining certain subsidies or the sanctions file, and under the threat of staying without help if they did not enter the game ”.
Taishet Fuentes denied before the judge investigating the case that she was a participant in the Mediator plot and placed all the blame on Tacoronte, of whom she says she feels "used." Both, according to the photographs that are in the summary, shared nights of parties and excesses. It has been proven that in a single night up to 11,000 euros were spent.
In his statement, of just 40 minutes, he framed the meetings with Canarian businessmen who later invited him on trips while he was CEO. A version that perplexed the judge.
—The gifts, the payments, the hotels, the prostitutes and others that have been paid during the time that has been investigated, do you consider it normal in the exercise of public function?
-Don't know.
