Joaquín Torres, the well-known ‘architect of the famous’, testified this Wednesday as a witness in the trial of the ‘Erial case’ in one of the most striking interventions of the ten sessions of the oral hearing. The professional, well known in the world of the tabloid press, began his appearance by videoconference warning that he has experienced “hardship” and “harassment” after the death of businessman Luís García-Cereceda, in charge of building the La Finca urbanization in Somosaguas for buyers “with high purchasing power”. “I want to make it clear that I am scared,” he stated at the outset, to the surprise of the room.
The witness maintained an “exclusive contract” with the builder for his company’s projects. However, after the death of the businessman, the architect regretted working for the García-Cereceda family: “It has brought me nothing but problems.” The man even accused Susana García-Cereceda of having “blackmailed” him, in a ‘subplot’ of her statement that was irrelevant to her. All before the mixture of stupefaction and smiles among the defense lawyers.
The architect alluded to other clients who have nothing to do with the cause, such as Felipe González or Alberto Alcocer, as an example of the high-profile world for which he works.
Joaquín Barceló, the confessed figurehead of Eduardo Zaplana, acquired a plot in La Finca that he later resold to the same García-Cereceda company, in a “speculative operation,” according to the architect’s definition. Torres confirmed that he “presented” a home “to Mr. Zaplana,” although the purchase operation was made “through secretaries, friends, intermediaries or employees” of the former minister, as clarified by the witness.
This is the second key witness regarding the purchase and sale operation in the La Finca urbanization, after the appearance this Tuesday of the radio journalist Luis Herrero, an independent advisor of the builder who confirmed the interest of his friend Zaplana in the “terrific mansion”, as stated defined.
“It’s me in my pure essence, an absolute loudmouth.”
The prosecutor reminded him that in his statement before the UCO he assured that the buyer (Joaquín Barceló) was Zaplana’s “front man.” “I would say it as the loudmouth that I am and that I have been,” he said in a response that sparked hilarity in the court. When asked by Zaplana’s lawyer, the witness was unable to clarify whether the term “front man” was said spontaneously or by the Civil Guard and he responded affirmatively.
Joaquín Torres, accustomed to the spotlight of television programs, acknowledged in the trial that he sent the plans of the house to the email of Zaplana’s secretary. Regarding his other statements to the UCO agents, he clarified: “I am in my pure essence, an absolute loudmouth.”
The architect also assured that in a chance meeting in Baqueira Beret with a daughter of the former minister, which occurred after the arrests of the ‘Erial case’, the woman maintained an “absolute exquisiteness”, an attitude that he appreciated “very much.”
