Spain's Leire Díez probe uncovers alleged €250,000 bribe to hush cash delivery

Judge Santiago Pedraz of the Audiencia Nacional is conducting an investigation known as the “Leire Díez case,” which examines alleged attempts to undermine judicial proceedings affecting the Spanish government and the PSOE. Businesswoman Carmen Pano testified that she delivered €90,000 in cash to the PSOE headquarters on Madrid’s Calle Ferraz and that she and her driver, Álvaro Gallego, were offered a total of about €250,000 to deny the delivery. Pano said the offer came from Leticia de la Hoz, a lawyer linked to former transport minister José Luis Ábalos and ex‑adviser Koldo García, both previously convicted in the “mask‑scandal” case.

The testimony forms part of a series of statements the judge will hear, including other witnesses connected to the alleged scheme to “save the culprits” and to influence other judicial matters. The investigation is centered on possible corruption within the PSOE and its network of associates.

The case remains under judicial scrutiny, with further testimonies – such as that of the former mayor of Móstoles and other party figures – scheduled in the coming weeks.