PSOE Official Santos Cerdán Under Investigation Amid Allegations of Corruption
The Civil Guard has placed Santos Cerdán, the Secretary of Organization of the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party), at the center of an ongoing investigation involving the alleged collection of illegal commissions. A recorded conversation, obtained by the UCO (Central Operations Unit), directly links Cerdán to these allegations.
According to reports from Cadena Ser, the conversation, which was included in a confidential report sent to the Supreme Court on June 5, was transcribed and has since been revealed to the public. In the recording, Cerdán is heard discussing with former Minister of Transport, José Luis Ábalos, and his former advisor Koldo García about outstanding debts owed to them by up to four construction companies. Notably, this conversation took place after Ábalos had left his ministerial position.
The details highlighted in this recording have led authorities to conduct searches at Ábalos’s residence in Valencia and at four of his associated companies, two of which are located in Navarra, another in Granada, and a fourth in Valencia. These actions indicate a serious escalation in the investigation.
Sources suggest that Judge Leopoldo Puente, who is overseeing the case in the Supreme Court, is expected to call for Cerdán's indictment in due time, although this process is not anticipated to be immediate. The judge is likely to first await the results of last week's searches and additional testimonies from witnesses.
Cadena Ser indicates that the investigation may not expand to encompass all contracts and awards related to road projects by the Ministry of Transport, but will initially focus on just one specific project.
In the wake of the searches, Ábalos has publicly expressed his calmness regarding the situation, informing the media that the UCO was primarily interested in his phone. He conveyed a sense of reassurance, stating that he welcomes any clarifications and asserting that he feels in a good state following the extensive nine-hour inspection of his home.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what further developments will emerge surrounding the allegations involving Cerdán, Ábalos, and the reported collection of commissions.
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