María Jesús Montero admits she regrets trusting Vicente Fernández after his alleged links to the Leire case surfaced. The SEPI scandal now implicates top officials, raising questions about oversight and public conduct.
María Jesús Montero, deputy secretary general of the PSOE and former Minister of Finance, has publicly acknowledged her regret over placing trust in Vicente Fernández, the former president of SEPI, following new judicial findings that connect him to the so-called Leire case. The investigation, which centers on alleged influence peddling and economic gain after Fernández's tenure at the state-owned holding, has intensified scrutiny of public sector governance in Spain.
Speaking on Cadena SER, Montero explained that at the time of Fernández's appointment, there were no warning signs against him and his professional background justified the decision. However, she now concedes that the evidence emerging from court documents paints a different picture, describing Fernández as someone who operated discreetly, often relying on indirect channels rather than formal meetings. Montero emphasized that the conduct under investigation is entirely at odds with the standards expected from public officials.
The case has also drawn attention to SEPI's current leadership. Among those newly under investigation is Belén Gualda, the current president of SEPI. Montero defended Gualda, highlighting her professionalism and values, and noted that, so far, no administrative irregularities have been found in the files reviewed. She pointed out that these procedures had previously been examined by both European institutions and Spain's General Intervention Board.
Montero called for a clear definition of the investigation's scope and stressed the importance of identifying exactly who is implicated, especially after her own chief of staff was cleared in a separate judicial order. She denied any prior knowledge of an alleged group involving Leire Díez, Antxon Alonso, and Fernández, stating that she would have acted immediately had she suspected any irregularities. Montero criticized those who, in her view, exploited their connections for personal business interests, diverging from the values of public service and the socialist government.
The scandal comes at a time when the Spanish government faces mounting pressure over the integrity of its institutions. Recent months have seen other high-profile cases, such as the controversy surrounding the Guardia Civil's internal investigations, which also tested the government's response to allegations of misconduct. For example, the government's stance on supporting officials under investigation was highlighted when Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez refused to dismiss the Guardia Civil chief amid an internal probe, underscoring the political sensitivity of such cases.
In the final part of her interview, Montero addressed the situation of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, expressing her support during what she described as a difficult period and voicing confidence that he would provide the necessary explanations. The Leire case, meanwhile, continues to unfold, with judicial authorities focusing on whether former officials leveraged their previous roles for personal benefit. SEPI, as a key state holding, plays a significant role in managing public assets and investments, making the outcome of this investigation particularly relevant for public trust in Spain's institutional framework.
SEPI (Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales) is a major public holding company in Spain, overseeing a wide range of state interests in strategic sectors. The Leire case has brought renewed attention to the mechanisms of oversight and accountability within such entities. As the investigation progresses, the political and administrative consequences could shape future standards for appointments and conduct in Spain's public sector. The case also highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring transparency and ethical behavior at the highest levels of government-linked organizations.
