Court finds Spain's ruling party benefited from bribery scheme

Former treasurer of People's party jailed for fraud and party handed non-criminal fine

A former treasurer of Spain's ruling party has suffered a major blow after one of its former treasurers was jailed for 33 years for fraud and money laundering, and the party itself has been found to have profited from an illegal kickbacks-for-contracts scheme, in a case that has become emblematic of political corruption in the country.

Luis Bircenas, once a close ally of the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, was sentenced to prison for his part in the conspiracy and fined a44m (38.5m), while the People's party (PP) was fined a240,000 after judges at Spain's highest criminal court ruled that it had benefited from the racket.