MADRID, Spain — A judge from the Spanish Supreme Court has summoned a high-ranking member of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist Party to provide testimony regarding alleged kickbacks involving construction companies linked to public contracts. The development follows revelations of recorded conversations suggesting possible illegal activity.
Judge Leopoldo Puente, who unsealed the case on Thursday, revealed that police reports indicated a conversation between Santos Cerdan, the Socialist Party’s organizational secretary and a lawmaker, and former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos allegedly discussing illicit payments in connection with public works. The judge determined there to be substantial evidence supporting the claims, which could lead to charges of criminal organization and bribery.
Cerdan has been called to appear before the court on June 25 to clarify his involvement in what is said to be a scheme involving the improper allocation of public contracts. He has publicly denied having any recollection of the conversation in question. “I have not participated in any such discussions, and I will hold a press conference soon to address the situation once we have more information from the report,” he stated during remarks in parliament.
The allegations have surfaced at a tumultuous time for Sanchez’s coalition government, which has faced mounting scrutiny over various controversies in recent months. Among these is an ongoing investigation into whether Begona Gomez, the Prime Minister’s wife, improperly leveraged her position to benefit her business interests.
Meanwhile, the Socialist Party defended Cerdan’s integrity. In a statement released late Wednesday, the party asserted that he did not influence the awarding of public works contracts and has never received any commissions related to such activities. “We stand by his innocence and look forward to the report’s release for further clarity,” the party’s statement read.
As these events unfold, they present yet another challenge for a government already grappling with allegations that threaten its stability. With significant political stakes at play, the repercussions of this case could resonate throughout the Spanish political landscape.
The investigation continues to develop, and those involved await the forthcoming court proceedings to shed light on the situation.
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