UCO finds PSOE invoices at Ferraz that financed travel for Leire Díez and Pérez Dolset
The Civil Guard discovered evidence at the socialist party headquarters that the party paid for trips linked to the 'sewers' investigation. A computer belonging to Santos Cerdán was found locked in the third basement.
PSOE invoices confirm payment for travel in the 'sewers' investigation
The Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard located invoices at the PSOE headquarters on Ferraz Street issued by travel agencies that certify that the socialist party paid for the travel of Leire Díez and Javier Pérez Dolset, who are being investigated in the case concerning the party's alleged 'sewers'. This is detailed in the reports to which ABC has had access.
Agents remained for more than twelve hours in the building, where they requested extensive information in search of evidence of financing for both of the investigated individuals. The discovery contradicts the version given by businessman Pérez Dolset, who declared during a search of his home that he personally paid for all his trips.
The PSOE Management coordinator provided the damning documentation
The decisive information came from the party itself. The coordinator of Management at the PSOE handed over to investigators, in digital format, copies of monthly invoices issued by the contracted travel agencies. "In relation to what was requested on this point, he provides in digital format a copy of the monthly invoices issued by the travel agencies contracted for managing the travel of the requested persons, listing expenses attributable to trips carried out by Santos Cerdán, Leire Díez and Javier Pérez Dolset," the report included in the court file details.
The identified agencies are VB Global Group S.L. and Integración Agencias de Viajes S.A. Investigators are now working to cross-check that invoicing with data from both companies to confirm that the socialist party's coffers financially contributed to the search for information against judges, prosecutors and civil guards.
In the same analysis, agents verified that no expenses were recorded attributable to the travel of the woman who reported prosecutor Grinda, although they did detect meetings between this person and several of those being investigated at the Ferraz headquarters itself.
Travel forms and budgets for 2024 and 2025
Judge Santiago Pedraz of the National Court, who ordered the information request to the UCO, also has various forms concerning travel requests and associated expenses. The PSOE coordinator also prepared a report on the management of travel expenses for the party relating to Cerdán, Leire Díez and Pérez Dolset. The party's budgets for the 2024 and 2025 period were also handed over.
In parallel, the UCO requested information about possible PSC payments to the outlet Crónica Global and any possible link to the financing of the European elections. According to the report, that documentation would not be in the hands of the PSOE at Ferraz but in the hands of the PSC, so Alberto Cachinero got in contact with officials from that party to obtain it.
Business relations with lawyer Ismael Oliver
Investigators also requested information about the business relations maintained with lawyer Ismael Oliver, the first lawyer appointed to represent Koldo García. According to ABC's reporting, it was Leire Díez who put the two in contact. Sources from the circle of the former adviser to Ábalos told this outlet that the relationship broke down after a proposal was made to reach a deal with the prosecutors' office and admit to the crimes, a manoeuvre that was apparently intended to prevent corruption from reaching other socialist figures.
On this point, the PSOE handed over documentation in a digital folder named 'Oliver Partners Legal Studies', which included invoices, contracts and purchase requests.
Santos Cerdán's personal computer, locked in the third basement
One of the most significant findings of the day at Ferraz was the location of information concerning Santos Cerdán kept under lock in the third basement of the headquarters. In that space agents found dozens of documents relating to the former socialist leader and also his personal computer. The party officials assured the civil guards that they were unaware of the contents of those materials and did not know whether they were relevant to the investigation.
The detail carries particular weight because during the search of Cerdán's home in Navarre, also carried out by the UCO, less material was seized. Dumping the contents of those computers and the mobile phones seized could provide investigators with more details about the scheme.
The identity of 'One', at the centre of the investigation
One of the aspects agents are trying to clarify is whether the nickname 'One', which appears in the conversations of those being investigated, corresponds to the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez. The UCO has raised this hypothesis in several of its reports sent to the National Court. The case, which is being heard by Judge Pedraz, remains open.
Source: ABC