In Madrid, the high-profile case involving former PSOE member Leire Díez, businessman Luis del Rivero, and prosecutor Ignacio Stampa is ongoing. This week, the prosecutor testified in court, presenting the judge with messenger correspondence from a meeting where highly sensitive topics were discussed.
According to case materials, Del Rivero initiated the meeting, inviting Stampa to speak with Díez and another businessman, Javier Pérez-Dolset. During the conversation, the prosecutor claims, he was offered help with his professional problems in exchange for certain information concerning investigations into high-ranking officials and cases related to corruption.
Particular attention was drawn to a phrase in one message where Del Rivero mentioned someone he called ‘the first,’ who, according to the prosecutor, referred to the current head of government. The correspondence repeatedly emphasized that this individual made the key decisions and that all the proposals discussed would be brought to his attention.
The meeting that changed the course of the investigation
The meeting took place in early May at del Rivero’s office. According to the prosecutor, he was expecting another participant—former PSOE organizing secretary Santos Cerdán—but instead, Díez arrived. She assured him that everything discussed would be relayed to the party leadership. During the conversation, they discussed details of the ‘Kitchen’ case as well as an interest in information about the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor and other judicial officials.
In exchange for providing this information, Stamphe was allegedly promised support in regaining his position at the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, from which he had previously resigned following a conflict with management. The correspondence submitted to the court also includes discussions of possible actions regarding the case initiated against the prosecutor by a political party, and prospects for his reinstatement.
Further contacts and new developments
After the meeting, the participants continued to communicate via messenger. Del Rivero informed the prosecutor that his proposals had been relayed to the ‘top official,’ and possible further steps were discussed. At one point, Díez also joined the conversation, suggesting a phone call to clarify their positions. The prosecutor recorded all conversations and meetings and submitted the audio files to the court, which have now become part of the case materials.
However, soon after, media reports emerged describing Díez as an intermediary between the accused and government officials, which resulted in the cancellation of one of the planned meetings. As a result, public and investigative attention shifted to probing possible attempts to influence judicial proceedings and uncovering potential corruption schemes.
What awaits the defendants
The investigation is still ongoing, and the court must determine whether there were attempts to pressure the prosecutor and whether the offers of assistance involved obtaining confidential information. The main focus remains on the role of high-ranking officials and the possible use of political connections to influence the course of justice. Further details of the case are expected to emerge in the coming months.
