Journalist Pere Rusiñol, at the center of a high-profile investigation, has categorically denied any involvement in an attempt to bribe prosecutor José Grinda. His interrogation was held ahead of schedule at his lawyer’s request, and the judge agreed to hear Rusiñol already on Tuesday. The questions focused on events connected to the case of former Socialist member Leire Díez, around whom scandals continue to mount.
During the hearing, Rusiñol refuted the prosecutor’s allegations that, supposedly in February 2025, he had offered Grinda career opportunities and a transfer in exchange for compromising information about his superiors and the closure of several cases. According to Rusiñol, the meeting with the prosecutor was necessary to verify rumors that Grinda himself might have offered information about his boss in exchange for a position in Bolivia. The journalist exercised his right not to disclose details, citing professional confidentiality.
That same day, lawyer Jacobo Teijelo, representing former PSOE organizational secretary Santos Cerdán, also took the stand. His testimony was interrupted when it emerged that the Vox party had filed a complaint against him related to the same case, and it had not yet been reviewed. This added even more intrigue to an already convoluted story.
Among the witnesses were eight journalists from leading Spanish publications who had previously reported on the actions of Leire Díez and Javier Pérez Dolset. All of them confirmed their articles but refused to disclose their sources. Some shared that they had faced pressure not to publish certain information. One journalist said he was offered an intimate video involving prosecutor Grinda, but the editorial staff declined to use it.
Political figures and new demands
The organization Hazte Oír, acting as the plaintiff, requested that the former PSOE party organization secretary, Santos Cerdán, as well as other high-profile individuals including ex-minister José Luis Ábalos, his former adviser Koldo García, and the head of the Guardia Civil Mercedes González, be called for questioning. According to investigators, these individuals may have been linked to proposals that Leire Díez made to various officials.
The list of those to be questioned also includes National Police inspector Rubén Eladio López and former postal worker and businessman Luis del Rivero, who, according to some reports, acted as a go-between for prosecutor Ignacio Stampa and Leire Díez. Investigators are still working to clarify who played what role in this complex scheme.
Journalists and lawyers under pressure
During the proceedings, it became clear that not only the defendants but also members of the media and legal community were under close scrutiny. Journalists covering the investigation faced intimidation and threats, while lawyers had to invoke attorney-client privilege to avoid disclosing details of meetings and negotiations.
The Leire Díez case continues to grow with new developments, and the list of those involved is expanding. The court proceedings promise to be lengthy and full of unexpected twists, as the reputations of prominent politicians, journalists, and law enforcement officials are at stake.
