Carmen Pano, a businesswoman involved in the Koldo case, told the National Court that she was offered money to alter her testimony about delivering €90,000 in cash to PSOE headquarters. The case raises new questions about political interference.
The investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the PSOE headquarters in Madrid has taken a new turn. Carmen Pano, a businesswoman who previously stated she delivered €90,000 in cash to the party's central office on Calle Ferraz, reaffirmed her claims before National Court judge Santiago Pedraz. According to judicial sources cited by EL PAÍS, Pano testified that the lawyer representing Koldo García, former ministerial adviser to José Luis Ábalos, offered her money in exchange for changing her statement.
Pano also maintained that the lawyer said she was acting on behalf of someone within the PSOE, with the intention of assisting both Ábalos and his former adviser. This testimony was given as part of an ongoing investigation into the suspected existence of a criminal organization allegedly led by former Organization Secretary Santos Cerdán, with Leire Díez identified as a key operative. The group is suspected of seeking sensitive information to undermine legal cases affecting the party and the government.
The case centers on the so-called Koldo affair, which has drawn significant attention due to its potential implications for the PSOE and its leadership. Pano's statements add a new layer to the investigation, suggesting attempts to interfere with witness testimony and influence the judicial process. The National Court is now examining whether these actions constitute obstruction of justice or are part of a broader effort to shield party figures from legal scrutiny.
According to EL PAÍS, the judge is focusing on the alleged network's methods for gathering information and the possible use of intermediaries to manipulate ongoing cases. The investigation remains active, with further updates expected as more witnesses are called and additional evidence is reviewed.
For context, the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) is one of Spain's major political parties, and its headquarters on Calle Ferraz has been at the center of several high-profile cases in recent years. The Koldo case is particularly sensitive due to its links to former government officials and the potential for broader political fallout. Spanish law treats attempts to bribe or coerce witnesses as serious offenses, and the outcome of this case could have lasting effects on party accountability and public trust in political institutions.
