Spain: Supreme Court expands corruption investigation to include Sánchez ally
Spain's Supreme Court has expanded a corruption investigation to include Juan Manuel Serrano, former head of Correos and a close ally of former president Pedro Sánchez.
Spain: Supreme Court expands corruption investigation to include Sánchez ally
Spain's Supreme Court has ordered the expansion of a corruption investigation to include Juan Manuel Serrano, former head of postal services and a close collaborator of former government president Pedro Sánchez. The decision represents another blow for Sánchez, who over the past two years has seen numerous members of his party, the PSOE, his cabinet and his inner circle implicated in various corruption scandals.
Serrano held one of the key positions as an aide to Sánchez in the party between 2014 and 2018. When Sánchez became president in July 2018, he appointed Serrano to head postal services, keeping him in the position until 2023.
According to the judicial order, Serrano and another official, Leire Díez, could have used public bodies for their own benefit or that of third parties. The investigation focuses on an alleged conspiracy to obstruct judicial and police investigations affecting the PSOE. Evidence appears in text messages exchanged with Díez, who held a senior position in postal services during Serrano's management.
Díez has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Serrano did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Vicente Fernández, former president of SEPI—the state company that oversees postal service—is also being investigated for Díez's appointment to the body. Fernández has denied any wrongdoing.
To date, none of the cases have directly implicated Sánchez, who came to power eight years ago promising to clean up politics following a series of corruption scandals affecting a centre-right government.
A PSOE spokesperson stated that the investigation must be completed and that the party will fully cooperate with it.
Source: Naftemporiki