Spanish authorities launched an investigation of former IMF chief Rodrigo Rato on allegations of fraud and money laundering.

Rato was taken from his home in Madrid on Thursday by officers from Spanish tax authorities, while police searched his home and office, the BBC reports.

The former IMF chief has already been investigated for fraud during his tenure as chief executive of the Spanish bank Bankia, which had to be bailed out by the government.

Rato, who was a prominent member of the Spanish Popular Party (PP), served as Finance Minister in the conservative government of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.

He was also a leading figure in the successor government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and headed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) between 2004 and 2007.

Rato became director of Bankia in 2010, but resigned two years later as the bank had to be bailed out by the government.

Company executives at Bankia are suspected of misleading regulators about the bank's finances and widespread misuse of credit cards during the tenure of Rato, who denies accusations.

According to latest information, Rato was released shortly after the searches were carried out in his house and office.

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