Investigation Launched into Alleged Bribery Attempt Involving Former PSOE Member and Businessman

The Provincial Prosecutors Office of Madrid has initiated an investigation into former Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) member Leire Díez and businessman Javier Pérez Dolset for a suspected attempt to bribe two notable prosecutors, Ignacio Stampa and José Grinda. This information was disclosed in a decree obtained by Europa Press, revealing that prosecutor Juan Pablo Nieto has formally requested the Madrid courts to open preliminary proceedings and collect relevant documentation concerning the case. According to the decree, prosecutor Stampa, who is best known for his role in the Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office and his involvement in the high-profile Villarejo case, reported a suspicious meeting on May 7 with Díez and Pérez Dolset. They had summoned him, via a third party, under the guise of offering apologies from government agencies regarding Stampa's treatment during his tenure in the Anti-Corruption unit. During this encounter, Díez and Pérez Dolset sought sensitive information concerning ongoing investigations led by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office. They purportedly offered government support for their ongoing lawsuits against the Ministry of Justice in exchange for such sensitive intel. Stampa’s protective instincts kicked in when he made a report to the Superior Prosecutors Office of the Community of Madrid on June 3, further asserting his account of the confronting conversation. Stampa confirmed these alarming details on June 10, disclosing that he had made recordings of the conversations for the ongoing investigation. Given the serious nature of the allegations, prosecutor Nieto decided to merge his complaint with another presented by prosecutor Grinda back in February, which involved similar bribery claims stemming from a message he received from a journalist. Grinda proposed that the journalist offered him a foreign position in exchange for sensitive information on various cases, including the Cabrera case, which investigates alleged illegal funding within the political sphere. While the Provincial Prosecutors Office initially shelved Grinda's complaint after failing to contact the journalist, the emergence of Stampa's account prompted a new assessment of the situation. Together, Stampa and Grinda's reports were seen to interconnect, justifying the renewed investigation into the actions of Díez and Pérez Dolset. The Madrid courts officially registered the investigation decree on July 17, and according to a ruling dated July 30, it was assigned to Court of Instruction Number 9 of Madrid. This specific court is already investigating Díez for alleged bribery and influence peddling related to other incidents where she is accused of offering judicial assistance in return for incriminating information against officials in the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard. Despite the seriousness of the accusations, Judge Arturo Zamarriego rejected a move by the Provincial Prosecutors Office of Madrid to merge the cases presented by Grinda and Stampa with the ongoing proceedings against Díez. The judge considered the facts alleged in the complaints as unrelated, subsequently returning the issue to the Public Prosecutors Office, which holds the option to appeal the dismissal or seek reassignment to another court. As the investigation unfolds, the implications of these allegations reverberate through the political and judicial landscape of Spain, raising critical questions about corruption and misconduct among public officials. The outcomes could have far-reaching impacts on public trust in the judicial system and the integrity of political figures in Spain. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2