Juan Francisco Serrano, who previously served as deputy secretary for organizational matters in the Socialist Party, testified before the Senate’s Koldo case hearings. For two hours, he answered questions from the commission, emphasizing that he had never suspected his former boss of being involved in corruption schemes. According to Serrano, his superior showed no signs of excessive wealth or unusual spending that might have raised suspicions.
Serrano noted that his work in the party was strictly related to internal organization, and he was not acquainted with either Víctor de Aldama, considered an intermediary, or Joseba Anchon Alonso, who is believed to be linked to the company Servinabar. He only learned of their existence through investigation materials. According to him, all his interactions with Serdán were limited to work-related matters, and there were no personal or financial ties between them.
Internal relations
During questioning, Serrano said he viewed Serdán solely as a hardworking party official who devoted a lot of time to his duties. He also mentioned that his boss was visibly troubled by accusations in the press, which he himself believed to be unfounded. Particular attention was drawn to a situation in which a UCO (Unidad Central Operativa) report mentioned a sum of €15,000 allegedly given to Serdán. Serrano stressed that he never discussed such matters with his boss, as he did not consider it appropriate.
One of the most memorable moments of the hearings was Serrano’s reaction to the publication of the first UCO report. He admitted he was shocked and deeply disappointed to see his colleague at the center of a scandal. According to him, the image of Serdán portrayed in the investigation documents did not match the person he had worked closely with.
Contacts and meetings
Serrano also commented on his only meeting with Leire Díez, a former party activist. He confirmed that the meeting did take place in April 2024 at the party headquarters on Ferraz Street. Serdán and Antonio Hernando, who serves as Secretary of State for Telecommunications, were also present. According to Serrano, Díez introduced herself as an investigative journalist and wanted to discuss an audio recording allegedly compromising for the party. No other topics, such as pressure on the prosecutor’s office or the police, were raised at the meeting.
During the hearings, Serrano tried to distance himself from the other individuals involved in the case — José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García. He emphasized that Ábalos left his position a year before Serrano joined the organizational department, and that he only encountered García in the halls of Congress when the latter was accompanying the minister.
Financial issues
Tensions rose during questions from Senator Francisco Martín Bernabé of the Partido Popular. He expressed doubts about Serrano’s ability to afford an apartment in the center of Pamplona. In response, Serrano stated that the property had been purchased solely with money earned by him and his wife, emphasizing that he had no questionable sources of income.
At the end of his speech, Serrano declared that the party’s finances had always been transparent and legal. He categorically denied accusations of illegal income or document destruction, sparking a heated reaction from opposition members.
In case you didn’t know, Juan Francisco Serrano is the former mayor of Bedmar y Garcíez in the province of Jaén and now serves as a national parliament deputy. After the Koldo case scandal, he resigned as deputy secretary for organizational affairs and is currently responsible for municipal policy within the party leadership. The organizing secretary in question is Santos Cerdán, a key figure within the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE). The Koldo case centers on alleged corruption in government contracts and has become one of the most prominent topics in Spanish politics in recent years.
