Leire Díez payments scandal implicates PSOE and Guardia Civil

Spain’s Audiencia Nacional, led by judge Santiago Pedraz, is investigating a scheme known as the “case Leire” in which the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) allegedly paid former socialist activist Leire Díez a total of 43,225 euros through a series of intermediaries. The Guardia Civil’s Central Operational Unit (UCO) reported four transfers of 4,000 euros from the consultancy Zaño Sociedad Consultora – managed by former regional boss Gaspar Zarrías – and a larger payment of 27,225 euros from the firm Oliver Gruppe SL, which was first invoiced to the PSOE via the law firm Oliver & Partners. The money was routed to Díez’s personal Kutxabank account.

Pedraz has summoned a range of figures tied to the alleged plot, including the PSOE’s manager Ana María Fuentes, the Guardia Civil director Mercedes González, lawyer Leticia de la Hoz (defending Koldo García), and other attorneys such as Ismael Oliver and Jacobo Teijelo. Testimony is also expected from former ministers and ex‑secretary of state Francisco Martínez. The investigation focuses on accusations that the payments were intended to influence investigations by the UCO and to undermine judicial proceedings affecting the government and the PSOE.