PSOE manager blames Santos Cerdán for retainers in National Court hearing

Audiencia Nacional hearings

PSOE federal manager Ana María Fuentes Pacheco and defense attorney Ismael Oliver testified on 9 September 2026 before National Court Judge Santiago Pedraz in Madrid. The magistrate is investigating an alleged scheme to disrupt ongoing judicial proceedings against the Spanish government and the ruling socialist party. Both individuals appeared as formally investigated suspects facing allegations of mercantile document forgery regarding advisory contracts and legal retainers. Fuentes, who arrived at the court building shortly before 10:00, testified for approximately ninety minutes before Oliver gave his deposition to the investigating judge.

Testimony on party hierarchy and contracts

During her interrogation, Fuentes told Judge Pedraz that former PSOE Organization Secretary Santos Cerdán held sole responsibility for authorizing legal retainers and directing payments to outside attorneys. Fuentes stated that her responsibilities were strictly administrative and economic, executing financial disbursements without assessing whether the underlying legal services had been completed. She affirmed that verbal contracts were standard practice within the party apparatus and denied drawing up fraudulent invoices. Fuentes also rejected claims that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez or other members of the executive committee held knowledge of these specific financial arrangements.

Both professional assignment notes were subscribed in a merely instrumental manner, with the purpose of simulating a professional relationship between the parties and serving as a means for the political party to make payments destined for both lawyers.

Oliver on Venezuelan client and parliamentary work

Oliver, who previously represented ministerial adviser Koldo García, stated that former socialist operative Leire Díez contacted him to provide legal advice regarding the parliamentary inquiry into the Operation Catalonia proceedings. He testified that Díez offered him the legal defense of García with assurances that the PSOE would ultimately absorb the cost, though Oliver stated he never received money for that defense. Oliver also addressed financial transfers directed to Díez, stating they constituted an advance from his client, former Venezuelan vice-minister Nervis Gerardo Villalobos. According to Oliver, Villalobos had his Spanish bank accounts frozen and hired Díez alongside Javier Pérez Dolset to erase his digital profile. Oliver also rejected accusations of attempting to bribe businesswoman Carmen Pano, describing past messaging exchanges about buying cooperation as unfortunate expressions.

Guardia Civil financial findings

Reports compiled by the Guardia Civil Central Operative Unit (UCO) detail 152,225 euros in allegedly fraudulent invoices channeled through attorneys Jacobo Teijelo and Ismael Oliver to conceal party disbursements. Investigators documented 125,000 euros paid by the PSOE to Teijelo, who also serves as legal counsel to Cerdán. The UCO further traced 43,225 euros sent to bank accounts belonging to Díez through intermediary entities, including Zaño Sociedad Consultora, a firm linked to former Andalusian government official Gaspar Zarrías. Zaño disbursed four transfers of 4,000 euros between June and September 2024, followed by an additional transfer of 27,225 euros. Fuentes told the court that the payments to Zarrías's consultancy related to electoral work, noting that the Andalusian regional branch of the party contributed additional funds.