Don Juan Carlos I has decided to sue his former treasurer, Dante Canonica, and his former lover, Corinna Larsen. The former Monarch, according to sources close to him, feels "betrayed" by the Swiss lawyer, who set up the Lucum foundation in Panama for King Felipe VI to channel the 65 million euros gift given to him by the King of Saudi Arabia for his lover. "He believes that his money has been taken and that he [Canonica] is partly to blame," hints a person who frequently speaks with him.
The former Spanish King of 38 years has carried out this new legal offensive with utmost discretion. Numerous people consulted by this newspaper throughout yesterday morning were unaware of this move. However, the King explained it during the day to those who asked him. Don Juan Carlos tells those around him that he feels in a moment of "helplessness" and clearly sets the turning point on a specific date: the day when Zarzuela denounced the leak of images of the Princess of Asturias in a shopping center in Punta Arenas (Chile). According to reports, at that moment he felt that he, who continues to be a member of the Royal Family, also had to defend himself to restore his honor. He then decided to hire the Novalex law firm to file a lawsuit against Miguel Ángel Revilla for slander and defamation. A claim from which Zarzuela distanced itself, stating that they had not been consulted.
He then instructed his London lawyers to file a lawsuit against Corinna Larsen and Dante Canonica. It is worth noting that Don Juan Carlos I has always maintained that the money he gave to the former princess was to finance a supposed future together. However, the Danish woman insists that it was a donation.
According to sources, Canonica is "upset" by Don Juan Carlos's decision. In addition, part of his circle sees this legal move as "reckless," and they are worried that this offensive could "backfire" against him. The fear lies in what the Swiss lawyer might do, as for years he, along with Arturo Fasana, were entrusted with Don Juan Carlos's trust to set up his economic structure outside of Spain.
When tax investigations into the Emeritus began, Don Juan Carlos agreed to make several tax regularizations to close the investigation. Thus, he legalized 678,393 euros in December 2020. Subsequently, in February 2021, he made a second regularization of 4.4 million euros, which were allegedly funded through a sort of "crowdfunding" among his friends in an attempt to persuade him to return to Spain from Abu Dhabi. He settled there, first temporarily and then permanently, in August 2020.
With these payments, the cases were closed as it was assumed that they were truthful and complete regularizations. This involves correcting and paying all outstanding tax declarations, without omitting information. Part of his circle now fears that Canonica may "reveal all" and disclose information that could compromise the Emeritus. At the time of regularization, the 65 million he has been claiming from Corinna for years was not in Don Juan Carlos's possession.
The father of Felipe VI is worried about his future and that of his daughters. Despite rumors about his fortune, he frequently insists that he lives "on borrowed time" in Abu Dhabi, where the king, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ensures that he lacks nothing. In addition, the private jet company Vistajet manages his travels around the world. It is a company owned by Thomas Flohr, a Swiss billionaire and father of Nina, wife of Felipe of Greece, Don Juan Carlos's political nephew.
The Emeritus spends much of the year in Switzerland. There, he stays in suites at the Four Seasons chain, which he must pay for. It is in this country where he will file a lawsuit that is expected to be drawn out over time. If he does not see the resolution, he hopes that his daughters can inherit the case to then be able to access those millions if it is resolved favorably.
Don Juan Carlos's two lawsuits come seven months before 50 years have passed since he ascended to the throne and delivered the speech in which he promised to be "king of all Spaniards." An anniversary that the Government will celebrate with an event presided over by King Felipe and Queen Letizia as part of the hundred events of what they have dubbed as Spain in freedom, commemorating the death of Francisco Franco. However, the Government does not want Don Juan Carlos to be present, having been the main figure of that day. Despite there being half a year left, the Emeritus increasingly sees his absence as clear, leading him to start making decisions from Abu Dhabi, where he has resided since August 2020, convinced that this is the path to restore his honor.
If the lawsuit succeeds, this will be the second legal case that pits the Emeritus against his former lover. Larsen sued Don Juan Carlos two years ago for harassment and defamation in London. The British justice system ultimately dismissed the lawsuit as they lacked jurisdiction for the investigation. For Corinna, that outcome was "disheartening." At the time of this edition's closure, no member of her press team or legal team responded to ELMUNDO's questions regarding Don Juan Carlos's lawsuit.