MADRID (AP) — A former president of the Spanish region of Catalonia has admitted to concealing large sums of undeclared money in secret foreign bank accounts.

Jordi Pujol, who was president of the wealthy northeastern region from 1980 to 2003, has revealed he failed to declare the money to tax authorities "over a period of more than 30 years."

The 84-year-old Pujol apologized and said he was willing "to appear before tax authorities, or if needed, judicial authorities," to explain matters, according to a statement released Friday.

Many Spaniards expressed contempt on Saturday, especially because Pujol had for months denied having any money stashed outside Spain.

In January 2013, several members of Pujol's family were required by Spain's Fraud Inspection Office to reveal information relating to their financial affairs.