The Guardia Civil’s Unidad Central Operativa (UCO) has accused Santos Cerdán, a senior PSOE figure, of placing the party’s organizational structure at the disposal of an alleged criminal network. In a report obtained by Antena 3 Noticias, investigators say basic party officials may have facilitated irregular financial operations and concealed them with falsified documentation. The allegations are part of an ongoing investigation led by National Court judge Santiago Pedraz, and have not been established by a final judgment.
The UCO’s findings draw on an analysis of mobile phone data from five people under investigation, including Juan Manuel Serrano, the former president of Correos. The report highlights what it calls a “impressive” and “demonstrative” element: how costs were covered and logistical needs met for the activities under scrutiny. The agents say this points to a coordinated effort within the organization to support the alleged scheme.
At the center of the investigation is Ana María Fuentes Pacheco, the PSOE’s federal manager. The UCO alleges that Fuentes, with Leire Díez’s mediation and under Cerdán’s direction, prepared two professional-engagement notes involving lawyers Jacobo Teijelo and Ismael Oliver. Fuentes reportedly told Judge Pedraz that Cerdán made the decision to hire the lawyers. Investigators allege that the documents and related invoices gave the appearance of professional work and enabled payments to the lawyers. Those allegations remain under judicial examination.
The UCO reportedly estimates that the PSOE paid €188,000 to people linked to the network in connection with alleged efforts to influence judicial cases, including at least €125,000 to Teijelo. Investigators describe the payment records as involving “apparent documentary support” and allegedly false invoicing. These figures are investigative allegations, not final findings by a court.
Investigators also say Covadonga San Pedro, a PSOE secretary and administrative worker, provided logistical and administrative assistance. Celia Rodríguez, another party employee, is described as having a similar role. The UCO calls the involvement of Fuentes, San Pedro and Rodríguez “impressive” to managing costs linked to the activities under investigation. Its inquiry aims to establish the expenses incurred and how they were covered, then determine who took part and what each person knew.
Pedraz has ordered the PSOE to provide contracts and professional-engagement records concerning lawyers and consultants connected to the inquiry. After an earlier request went unanswered, the judge reportedly gave the party 48 hours to supply the material. The PSOE has cited professional secrecy to explain its position on disclosure. The records cover the period when Cerdán served as the party’s secretary of Organization and are intended to clarify who authorized the engagements and how they were financed.
Cerdán left his PSOE post in June 2025 and remains under investigation. He has accused the Audiencia Nacional of “investigating my whole life,” arguing that the inquiry reaches beyond its proper scope. Investigators, by contrast, are examining alleged efforts to obtain compromising information about judges and prosecutors, as well as UCO officers and witnesses. They are also looking into possible use of party resources and administrative support. The wider case has drawn in former PSOE member Leire Díez and businessman Javier Pérez Dolset. Former SEPI president Vicente Fernández and businessman Antxon Alonso are also linked to the case, amid scrutiny of alleged irregular operations involving public companies and entities linked to SEPI.
The case is part of wider scrutiny of Spanish political parties’ financial practices and internal oversight. In a related development, María Jesús Montero recently distanced herself from the SEPI scandal, expressing regret over her trust in Vicente Fernández as the investigation into the Leire case expanded. For more on the growing pressure within PSOE leadership, see the coverage on Montero's response to the SEPI probe.
The UCO is the Guardia Civil’s operational unit responsible for investigating complex criminal activity, including suspected corruption and financial schemes. Its report is evidence submitted in an ongoing judicial inquiry, not a verdict. The investigation’s findings and the court’s examination of the requested contracts will help determine how party administrative and financial structures were used, if at all, and whether anyone bears criminal responsibility.
