A ruling from the National Court details that a suspected network linked to the PSOE allegedly attempted to bribe anti-corruption prosecutor José Grinda with €300,000. According to Judge Santiago Pedraz, this offer aimed to obtain information that would harm the Chief of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, Alejandro Luzón, and to archive relevant judicial cases.
The judicial document further specifies that the plan was led by Santos Cerdán, former Socialist Organization Secretary, who allegedly directed a network meant to destabilize judicial cases unfavorable to the party and the Government. Within this scheme, Leire Díez, known as “the plumber” of the PSOE, is said to have played a key role in these illicit activities.
The bribe intended for prosecutor Grinda was allegedly facilitated by Pere Rusiñol, a businessman unaffiliated with the PSOE, who met with the prosecutor in February 2025 to relay the proposal. Besides the cash, Grinda was assured of a position overseas.
Fresh Disclosures: Efforts to Bribe and Influence Witnesses
The ruling also reveals that businesswoman Carmen Pano was offered €50,000 to change her court testimony. Pano had previously stated that she delivered €90,000 in cash to the PSOE headquarters in Ferraz in October 2020, on the orders of Víctor de Aldama, an alleged middleman in the “Koldo case.” Despite attempts to alter her testimony before a new court appearance, Pano reaffirmed her claims in the tribunal.
Lawyer Ismael Oliver, who is also being investigated, is said to have spearheaded the negotiations for this bribe with authorization from Leire Díez. According to the judge’s files, Díez purportedly remarked in a recorded conversation that they needed to know how to make the right purchase.
Exclusive Deals for Officials and Civil Guards
Additionally, the judge details that economic favors and benefits were offered to public officials and Civil Guard members in exchange for information to obstruct corruption investigations. Promises included lawyer fees and professional promotions.
The raid on the PSOE headquarters in Ferraz, mandated by Judge Pedraz and accompanied by additional judicial measures, further reinforces indications that this network aimed to safeguard the political interests of the PSOE and the Government by carrying out unlawful actions against prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement personnel.
Source: Report by El Economista – https://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/13941030/05/26/el-juez-sospecha-que-la-trama-ofrecio-300000-euros-al-fiscal-grinda-para-obtener-informacion-que-afectara-a-luzon.html
