Spanish Judge: Socialists Paid Officer To Sabotage Cases
A Spanish judge accused the ruling Socialist Workers' Party of paying a Civil Guard officer to leak classified information to sabotage corruption investigations targeting the party.
According to Brussels Signal, investigating judge Santiago Pedraz of Spain’s National Court made the explosive claim in a court order that names Captain Juan Sánchez Yepes, a former member of the elite Central Operative Unit, as having invoiced services directly to the PSOE.
The Central Operative Unit is the Civil Guard’s premier anti-corruption division and has been investigating the Socialist party and figures in Sánchez’s inner circle, including the so-called Koldo affair involving allegedly rigged public contracts.
Judge Pedraz’s order states that Sánchez Yepes handed over classified details about the unit’s operations and about Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Balas, who heads the department investigating the party. Messages reviewed by the judge indicate the officer was aware he was violating the law.
The captain now faces investigation for revealing state secrets, bribery, and crimes against state institutions. He had previously been suspended in connection with a separate fraud case involving hydrocarbons.
Alleged Socialist ‘Fixer’ Ran Destabilization Operation
At the center of the broader investigation is Leire Díez, a former Socialist activist whom authorities describe as the party’s “fixer.” Pedraz alleges Díez ran the entire operation with the goal of destabilizing judicial proceedings that threatened the party and the Spanish government.
The judge has calculated that the PSOE funneled roughly €188,000 through fraudulent invoices, allegedly with assistance from party manager Ana María Fuentes, who has also been placed under investigation.
Investigators believe the scheme began in April 2024, shortly after Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, was placed under investigation in a separate case. Díez allegedly informed associates that the operation was a top priority for Santos Cerdán, the PSOE’s former organization secretary, who has since been remanded in custody.
Sánchez Denies Knowledge, Party Cries Political Persecution
Cerdán has denied informing Prime Minister Sánchez about his contacts with Díez. Sánchez himself has not been charged and denies any wrongdoing.
The Socialist party has dismissed the allegations as a politically motivated “lynching” campaign orchestrated by the right wing and insists it has destroyed no evidence.
The revelations come amid mounting legal troubles for Spain’s governing left, with multiple corruption investigations converging on the party apparatus and Sánchez’s closest allies.
With information from Brussels Signal
