PSOE Under Scrutiny: Judge Requests Financial Records Amid Corruption Investigation

Judge Ismael Moreno, overseeing Central Investigating Court Number 2 of the National Court, has officially requested the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) to provide a detailed list of all cash payments made from 2017 to 2024. This request comes as part of a growing investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving the PSOE, specifically concerning former Minister of Transport José Luis Ábalos and his former adviser, Koldo García. Sources from the party have clarified that they are not currently under investigation, asserting their full commitment to transparency and collaboration with judicial authorities. A PSOE spokesperson stated, "We will provide the Court with the requested documentation, collaborating with justice as we have done so far." They emphasized that all cash transactions within the party have complete legal traceability, with no discrepancies or unaccounted settlements. The PSOE insists that their financial accounts are transparent, legal, and subject to audit. They have reiterated their steadfast stance against corruption, stating, "We act and have acted firmly and vigorously against any signs of corruption or improper conduct." The judicial scrutiny aligns with findings from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, which identified several actions potentially classified as money laundering and embezzlement involving the party. The prosecutor, referencing a Supreme Court judge's prior request for an investigation into these cash payments, stated that there are critical gaps in understanding who verified the invoices submitted by individuals associated with the PSOE that received cash payments for claimed duties. The prosecutor pointed out a significant concern: the process by which the PSOE verified these expenses seemed inadequate, as the mere signature of Ábalos was deemed sufficient for expenditure reimbursement without rigorous verification of the actual payers. This method raised alarms regarding the potential facilitation of illicit funds being laundered through the party, as it could allow individuals under scrutiny to offset expenses incurred from illegal activities. Further complicating matters, the prosecutor noted that the documentation submitted by the PSOE did not satisfactorily clarify the origins of cash amounts reportedly held at the party headquarters. The report includes testimonies from intermediary Victor de Aldama, who discussed cash deliveries to the PSOE, and businesswoman Carmen Pano, who claimed to have brought €90,000 in cash to the party's Madrid headquarters. As the investigation unfolds, the PSOE's transparency and ethical governance will be put to the test. The outcome of the judicial probe could hold significant implications for the party's reputation and for broader political dynamics in Spain, especially as voters increasingly demand accountability and integrity from public officials. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2