Former Sánchez chief of staff charged in Leire case over alleged judicial interference
Judge Santiago Pedraz has charged Juan Manuel Serrano, who headed Pedro Sánchez's office at the PSOE federal secretariat and later chaired the public Correos company, in the investigation known as the Leire case.
Former Sánchez chief of staff charged in Leire case over alleged judicial interference
The Central Court of Instruction No. 5 of the National Court, presided over by Santiago Pedraz, has taken a further step in the Leire case investigation by charging Juan Manuel Serrano. He headed Pedro Sánchez's office at the PSOE federal secretariat for four years and later chaired the state postal company.
The judicial decision is based on a report submitted by the Civil Guard's Central Operational Unit. The investigators indicate that Serrano may have taken part in manoeuvres designed to disrupt the normal course of certain judicial proceedings that could be detrimental to the interests of the Socialist Party and the central Government.
The judge has also authorised the UCO agents to examine in depth the contents of the suspect's mobile phone. This request by the investigators has been equally backed by the anti-corruption prosecutors, who consider the device a potential source of relevant evidence.
According to police documentation, suspicions about Serrano cover two fronts. On the one hand, his possible involvement in activities aimed at obtaining business advantages in the sphere of SEPI. On the other, his link to an alleged organised structure whose objective would be to obstruct judicial cases.
The Civil Guard report emphasises Serrano's close relationship with the PSOE, noting that he held the position of chief of the federal executive's office between 2014 and 2018. This period is key to the investigation, as it coincides temporally with part of the facts being examined.
The Leire case investigates alleged operations to interfere in judicial proceedings affecting the party and state administration, as well as possible irregularities in the management of public entities. Serrano's charging represents a significant development that places a former senior official in the direct entourage of the Government's President in the focus of the investigation.
The defence of the charged party could challenge the judge's decision, although it has not yet been confirmed whether he intends to lodge any appeal.
Source: El Mundo
Source: El Mundo