Judge Pedraz alleges PSOE paid over €170,000 to a network led by Leire Díez to sabotage judicial investigations
Spain's National Court judge Santiago Pedraz has issued a ruling alleging that the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) financed a covert network, led by former party militant Leire Díez, to systematically destabilize judicial investigations affecting the party and the government.
The alleged conspiracy
Judge Santiago Pedraz of Spain's Audiencia Nacional has issued a detailed ruling alleging that the PSOE, under the coordination of its former Organization Secretary Santos Cerdán, paid over €170,000 to a network led by Leire Díez. The network's purpose was to systematically destabilize judicial proceedings that could impact the party or the government of Pedro Sánchez. The judge attributes a "superior role" to Cerdán, who allegedly agreed to pay Díez €4,000 per month from party funds starting in April 2024.
The group of people led by Santos Cerdán and coordinated by Leire Díez began to develop actions whose purpose was the destabilization of judicial cases affecting the PSOE or the Government.
Financial trail and key figures
The ruling details payments totaling over €178,000, including €27,000 to Leire Díez, €20,000 to the late journalist Patricia López, and €125,000 to lawyer Jacobo Teijelo, who currently defends Cerdán in the separate Koldo case. The judge alleges that PSOE's current manager, Ana María Fuentes, issued false invoices to facilitate the transfer of funds. Former Andalusian official Gaspar Zarrías's consultancy was initially used to channel the monthly payments to Díez.
- Jacobo Teijelo (lawyer)
- 125000 EUR
- Leire Díez (direct)
- 27000 EUR
- Ismael Oliver (lawyer)
- 27225 EUR
- Patricia López (journalist)
- 20000 EUR
Attempt to buy witness testimony
The investigation also reveals an alleged attempt to bribe businesswoman Carmen Pano with €50,000. Pano had previously testified that she delivered €90,000 in cash to the PSOE's headquarters on Ferraz Street. According to intercepted conversations, lawyer Ismael Oliver contacted Leire Díez to "negotiate" with Pano to modify or condition her judicial testimony.
This one sells herself. We must know how to buy.
Broader campaign against institutions
The judge's order states the plan included offering payments or favors to Civil Guard officers, investigators, and prosecutors in exchange for information or acts contrary to their duties. The network allegedly targeted investigations such as the Begoña Gómez case—involving the wife of Prime Minister Sánchez—and the case affecting his brother. The operation also aimed to undermine the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard.
Judicial and political fallout
The National Court is investigating nine crimes, including criminal organization, bribery, disclosure of secrets, inducement to false testimony, false accusation, falsification of commercial documents, prevarication, influence peddling, and crimes against state institutions. The judge has ordered the seizure of all documentation related to the PSOE's advertising campaign for the 2024 Catalan elections, suspecting it may have been used as a front to channel payments. The case runs parallel to a separate investigation by Madrid judge Arturo Zamarriego, who is probing similar facts.
