Sandra Ortega Mera

Following Room Mate's crisis, several banks demanded that Sandra Ortega or Rosp Corunna honour guarantees relating to loans granted to the hotel group. Some institutions argued it was implausible that she had been unaware of the guarantees and requested that she be investigated for fraud. The courts rejected this criminal implication. In several subsequent civil proceedings, courts concluded that the disputed signatures were not Sandra Ortega's and rejected payment claims, notably those brought by EBN, Banca March and Abanca.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Following José Leyte's dismissal, Sandra Ortega and companies in her investment group filed several criminal complaints concerning alleged disloyal administration, personal benefits, remuneration and a credit facility. Several branches were provisionally dismissed for insufficient evidence or because the payments were documented and considered justifiable.

State of the evidence

Documented

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

José Leyte, who had managed the family fortune for approximately twenty years, challenged his 2020 dismissal and the amount of compensation. Successive courts examined the nature of the employment relationship and the sums payable; in 2025, the Supreme Court limited its review to Rosp Corunna's appeal concerning calculation of the final settlement (finiquito).

Attribution

Direct responsibility

The Na Praia tourism project, associated with Sandra Ortega on Portugal's Tróia peninsula, faced opposition from environmental associations and a court-ordered suspension of works in March 2023. Opponents cited impacts on sensitive habitats, the coastline, water, soil and landscape.