Spain's SEPI probe reveals alleged 400,000 € bribery in Avilés contract

Spain's anti‑corruption prosecutor office (UCO) is investigating a network of officials linked to the State-owned Energy Company (SEPI) and its subsidiary SEPIDES. The probe focuses on the 2020 demolition contract for coke batteries in Avilés, awarded to the joint venture Erri Berri‑Afesa. Investigators allege that Leire Díez, former chief of staff to former Minister of the Interior María Luz Marlaska, and former SEPI president Vicente Fernández coordinated with senior SEPIDES officials to favor Erri Berri, receiving an estimated 400,000 € kick‑back.

The UCO has examined communications from Fernando Albert Aragón, former head of the contract‑awarding board, and seized extensive documentation from SEPIDES headquarters. New reports are being prepared for Judge Santiago Pedraz, who last week confirmed indictments against more than twenty individuals, including SEPI president Belén Gualda for a separate irregular rescue of Tubos Reunidos worth 112.8 million €. The investigation continues to assess the full scope of alleged corruption within the state‑owned oil group.