This Saturday, three high-profile individuals linked to a major corruption investigation at the state-owned company SEPI are scheduled to be questioned at the National Court (Audiencia Nacional) in Madrid. Leire Díez, a former PSOE member and ex-official, Basque businessman Anxón Alonso, and former SEPI president Vicente Fernández Guerrero will face their first interrogation after spending three days in Civil Guard custody. So far, none of them knows exactly what evidence has been collected against them, as Judge Antonio Piña is keeping the case completely confidential and the defense has not been granted access to the case materials.
It also remains unclear whether pre-trial detention will be imposed. What is known is that all three are suspected of involvement in a corruption scheme centered on SEPI — the state entity that manages government holdings in various companies. The investigation is considering potential charges of abuse of power, embezzlement, influence peddling, and participation in a criminal organization.
Focus on Leire Díez
The investigation into Leire Díez is focused on potential violations during her tenure at two state-owned companies: ENUSA Industrias Avanzadas and Correos. The former is responsible for supplying enriched uranium to all five operational nuclear power plants in Spain. In 2018, Díez headed the press office at ENUSA before moving in 2022 to Correos, where she served as director of philately and institutional relations until 2024.
Civil Guard officers have already visited both companies with requests for documents regarding suspicious contracts. Additionally, during the arrest, a search was carried out at an apartment on Diego de León Street in Madrid, where investigators believe Díez met with business representatives.
The Anchon Alonso Cases
Anchon Alonso, an entrepreneur from the Basque Country, is once again in the spotlight due to his company Servinabar 2000. Among the firm’s co-owners is former PSOE organizational secretary Santos Cerdán. Alonso has previously testified before the Supreme Court in another case related to alleged manipulation in the awarding of government contracts during the tenure of Minister José Luis Ábalos.
A new investigation led by the National Court focuses on Servinabar’s collaboration with Forestalia, a company specializing in renewable energy. Servinabar provided consulting to Forestalia on a power line project across Navarra and also took part in the construction of solar parks. Investigators are also examining Alonso’s connections with other individuals involved in the case, including Vicente Fernández Guerrero.
Vicente Fernández Guerrero
Former SEPI president Vicente Fernández Guerrero was appointed to the position in 2018 following the rise to power of Pedro Sánchez. However, after just a year and five months, he was forced to resign amid allegations of irregularities in the awarding of a license to operate the Aznalcóllar mine in Andalusia. After leaving SEPI, he began working as a private consultant, including for Servinabar, earning substantial sums for his services. In 2021, his income from this activity exceeded €68,000, and in 2023, it was over €33,000. The Navarra tax authorities have recorded significant withholdings, but the exact amounts earned in 2022 remain unclear.
Investigators are also looking into Fernández Guerrero’s activities during his time at the helm of SEPI. UCO officers have requested documents from four companies linked to SEPI: ENUSA, Mercasa, Sepides, and Cofivacasa. They are interested in materials related to the awarding of contracts and the granting of subsidies. In addition, Fernández’s subsequent business ventures have drawn attention, including his management of the La Bola bar in the La Cartuja industrial zone in Seville, as well as his significant real estate portfolio.
Unanswered questions
In July of last year, Fernández Guerrero had already appeared in the Senate at hearings on the Koldo case, during which opposition representatives questioned the origin of his assets. At the time, he exercised his right to remain silent, as he was still considered a defendant in the Aznalcóllar case, for which he was later acquitted. Now, as he is being investigated in a new case, he may again refuse to answer questions from the court.
