Judge Jose Castro’s decision comes a week after her brother Felipe VI ascended the throne. In his proclamation speech, King Felipe VI promised to move the monarchy away from its scandalous past to an “honest and transparent monarchy”, reports the Guardian.
For four years, the princess’s husband, former Olympic medal-winning handball player Inaki Urdangarin, has been under investigation, accused of embezzling up to US $8 million in public funds through his non-profit organization Noos Institute, reports the Telegraph.
Urdangarin and business partner Diego Torres are suspected of overcharging local governments to organize conferences on sports and business, and then hiding the proceeds abroad, reports Reuters. Cristina and her husband have denied the charges.
Cristina was a board member of the Noos Institute and co-owned the company Aizoon with her husband. Castro said Aizoon was used as a front to launder money, which was spent on salsa classes, home renovations, clothing and expensive trips, reports the Guardian.
In his ruling Wednesday, Castro said the evidence indicates that Cristina was involved in her husband’s activities.
“Everything indicates that Dona Cristina de Borbon y Grecia was an active participant in organizing and budgeting these events which were clearly of a personal nature,” said the judge.
