Two employees of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) have testified before Judge Santiago Pedraz, who is investigating allegations of corruption involving Leire Díez, a former party member accused of undermining judicial proceedings against the PSOE and the government. The testimony has brought the PSOE closer to being implicated in the case, according to reports. Celia Rodríguez and Covadonga San Pedro, both administrative staff working in the Organization Department of the PSOE’s headquarters in Madrid, confirmed that they were ordered by Santos Cerdán, the former secretary of organization, to purchase train and flight tickets for Díez and manage her access to the party’s premises. Their statements were made during a court session held on May 27, 2026, and were part of the ongoing investigation into the so-called "fontanera" case, which involves alleged attempts to sabotage legal actions against high-profile figures within the party and the ruling government. The two women described how their duties included handling travel arrangements for Díez, whom they referred to as the "fontanera," a term used in the context of the case to describe someone who allegedly acted as a conduit for illicit activities. According to the testimonies, these tasks required direct approval from Cerdán, who was responsible for overseeing such operations. They noted that while there existed a detailed internal document outlining procedures for managing such requests, spanning 40 pages, the guidelines were rarely followed in practice. Instead, they relied on informal instructions from Cerdán, who would dictate when and how to facilitate Díez's movements. During the interrogation, the women were asked about the system of payment controls in place within the party. They stated that although such protocols existed, they were not strictly adhered to in daily operations. This lack of adherence, they explained, was due to the nature of their work, which often required immediate action rather than following bureaucratic procedures. The judge, however, emphasized that the existence of such systems could serve as a defense for the party should future legal challenges arise. The testimonies also revealed that Díez had frequent access to the parking area at the PSOE’s headquarters on Calle Ferraz. The women confirmed that she sometimes left her vehicle there even without meeting with senior officials. They recalled having seen her twice or three times at the building, though they did not always accompany her inside. The women also mentioned that meetings with Cerdán were rare, typically occurring only a couple of times, and that other individuals, including businessman Javier Pérez Dolset and Juanfran Serrano, were occasionally present during these encounters. On the day of the inspection of the PSOE’s headquarters, the Unit of Criminal Investigation (UCO) seized the mobile phones of the two witnesses. While the judge initially denied access to the contents of the devices, he requested that the women allow investigators to review messages exchanged with Díez, Cerdán, and others under investigation, including Ana María Fuentes, the party’s general manager. Fuentes, who is currently under investigation, is scheduled to appear before the judge on September 9. She was the person responsible for ensuring compliance with legal norms within the party during the period under scrutiny. Despite the gravity of the situation, the two women remained vague when questioned about the final stages of approving payments for Díez’s travel expenses. They referred to this responsibility as belonging to the administration department, without providing further details. Legal sources close to the case suggest that their responses were intentionally non-committal, possibly to avoid implicating themselves or others.
7 reports
elDiario.esIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 853 days agoThe article discusses ongoing judicial proceedings related to Leire Díez, a former member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), who is under investigation for allegedly being part of a scheme within the party aimed at undermining judicial cases affecting both party members and the environment of the Prime Minister. Two administrative staff members from Ferraz, Celia Rodríguez and Covadonga San Pedro, testified before Judge Santiago Pedraz, confirming they carried out travel ticket purchases for Díez upon orders from their superior, former PSOE Secretary of Organization Santos Cerdán. The testimonies included references to whether Díez used the party’s parking facility during her visits. These women also recovered their seized mobile devices and had communications copied with Cerdán, Ana Fuentes, Juan Manuel Serrano, and Díez between April 2024 and June 2025. The judge warned that their testimony cannot be used against them but emphasized their duty to cooperate. They stated they were unaware of how payments for the tickets were controlled and did not observe legal professionals or the investigated individuals Jacobo Teijelo and Ismael Oliver at the office.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding judicial proceedings involving political figures without overtly favoring any particular side. It reports on the testimonies of administrative staff and includes statements from multiple parties involved, including those from the opposition (PP). No
Why factuality (90): This article provides detailed information about the testimony of the two PSOE secretaries regarding Cerdán approving travel expenses for Leire Díez and her use of the party’s parking. It also references the retrieval of mobile phones and communications between the witnesses and various individuals,
Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone throughout, presenting facts without overt bias. It avoids emotional language and sticks to reported events, making it highly objective.
El MundoIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 752 days agoTwo employees of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), Celia Rodríguez and Covadonga San Pedro, testified before Judge Santiago Pedraz regarding allegations involving Leire Díez, known as 'la fontanera.' The testimony suggests that former PSOE official Santos Cerdán ordered the purchase of travel tickets for Díez and authorized her access to the party’s headquarters in Ferraz. According to the women, they followed a 40-page internal document on handling such requests but did not adhere to it regularly. They stated that Cerdán was responsible for managing Díez’s visits and that these actions were part of a compliance process established after a 2015 legal reform. The case has led to potential charges against the PSOE, with the women initially being imputed but later appearing as witnesses.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information from two PSOE employees who testified under judicial questioning. It does not overtly favor one political side over another, nor does it exhibit clear ideological slant in its framing or sourcing. The narrative remains focused on the legal proceedings and internal PS
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports that two PSOE employees testified about Cerdán ordering travel purchases for Leire Díez and authorizing access to Ferraz. It mentions the legal framework around compliance policies from 2015 and 2018, aligning with the cross-source consensus. However, it lacks specific
Why objectivity (75): The article presents facts neutrally but includes some interpretive statements like 'the demonstration of compliance is the party's baza' which slightly frames the situation in favor of the PSOE. The tone remains mostly objective but has minor leanings.
ABC (España)IndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 702 days agoA collaborator of the Spanish National Police (Guardia Civil), who was called as a witness in the case involving Leire Díez before the National Court, testified this Wednesday before Judge Santiago Pedraz that Leire Díez, a former PSOE member known as the 'fontanera' (plumber) of the party, insisted during their meetings that when she referred to 'One,' she meant Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The testimony comes amid ongoing legal proceedings related to Leire Díez, who has been linked to various political controversies. The statement highlights her alleged connection to high-level political figures within the PSOE. This development could influence the perception of her role in political affairs and potentially impact the broader narrative around the PSOE.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of a court testimony without overtly favoring any political side. It reports on a legal proceeding involving a prominent figure associated with the PSOE and mentions the prime minister by name, but does not include commentary, biased language, or selective ommi
Why factuality (85): The article reports a statement from a Guardia Civil collaborator who claims that Leire Díez insisted 'One' referred to Pedro Sánchez. This aligns with the cross-source consensus that Leire Díez was involved in efforts to influence judicial investigations, though there is no primary source document
Why objectivity (70): The article presents the statement as a direct quote but does not provide additional context or counterpoints. The language suggests a narrative that supports the idea of Leire Díez attempting to influence outcomes, which may introduce bias.
ABC (España)IndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 702 days ago The PSOE is trying to encapsulate the 'cloaca' of Leire Díez in Santos CerdánOn July 29, 2026, two workers from Ferraz, associated with the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), testified before Judge Santiago Pedraz at the National Court regarding allegations involving Leire Díez and Santos Cerdán. The testimony detailed how they arranged flights and train tickets, covering up to seven trips for Díez at the request of Cerdán. They also described allowing her to use a parking space at the PSOE headquarters for attending meetings—up to 22 in total—and for traveling around Madrid while leaving her car behind.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the actions of Santos Cerdán and Leire Díez within the context of alleged misuse of resources by high-ranking PSOE officials. While the facts are presented neutrally, the focus on internal party dynamics and the implication of potential corruption leans toward highlighting the mis
Why factuality (85): The article reports on an ongoing investigation into the PSOE's 'cloaca' (sewage) involving Leire Díez and Santos Cerdán. It cites testimony from two workers at Ferraz who allegedly facilitated travel and accommodations for Díez as per Cerdán's orders. The information appears to align with cross-sou
Why objectivity (70): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'cloaca,' implying corruption or wrongdoing, which introduces bias. It frames the actions of Santos Cerdán and Leire Díez in a negative light without presenting alternative perspectives or contextualizing the situation. This suggests a potential
El PaísIndependent🔒CenterFactual 80Objective 808 days agoThe National Court judge Ismael Moreno has requested information from several banks regarding the financial accounts of the family members of former socialist leader Santos Cerdán, including his wife, daughter, sister, and brother-in-law. This follows an investigation into the 'Koldo case,' where the Unit for the Investigation of Economic Crimes (UCO) identified that Cerdán and his family received approximately 323,178 euros in potentially irregular benefits between 2015 and 2024, with the highest amounts occurring during José Luis Ábalos' tenure as Minister of Transport. The judge emphasized that there is more than mere suspicion, citing evidence suggesting involvement in organized crime and corruption. The probe includes examining unreported income sources, cash transactions, and discrepancies between declared expenses and actual spending by Cerdán and his associates.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual details of judicial actions and investigations involving a high-profile political figure and alleged corruption. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The content remains focused on legal procedures and evidence presented by
Why factuality (80): The article focuses on the judicial request for bank information related to Cerdán’s family, providing specific figures and timeframes. This aligns with the cross-source consensus but omits details about the travel arrangements and Leire Díez’s role, which are covered in other articles.
Why objectivity (80): The article presents the information objectively, focusing on the legal actions taken by the court without apparent bias. It maintains a neutral tone while discussing sensitive financial matters.
El ConfidencialIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 70Objective 703 days agoThe secretaries of Spain's ruling socialist party, PSOE, have confirmed that Leire Díez, a member of the party, used the parking space at the PSOE headquarters in Madrid, known as 'Ferraz,' whenever she wanted. This revelation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the use of party resources by politicians. The confirmation raises questions about the transparency and accountability of party members' access to official facilities. The issue has sparked discussions within the party and among the public regarding potential misuse of public assets.
Bias read (Progressive): The article focuses on a member of the ruling socialist party (PSOE), which is a leftist political entity in Spain. The content highlights internal party matters and potential misuse of resources, which could be seen as critical of the party but does not explicitly take a stance against the PSOE. It
Why factuality (70): The article confirms that PSOE secretaries stated Leire Díez used the Ferraz parking when she wanted. While this is consistent with other sources, it lacks additional context such as the legal proceedings or the broader investigation into Cerdán’s activities, reducing its factual completeness compar
Why objectivity (70): The article is concise but lacks depth in explanation. It does not exhibit strong bias but also doesn’t provide enough background to fully contextualize the claim, resulting in moderate objectivity.
ABC (España)IndependentCenter6 hr. ago The judge asks for information on bank accounts of the PSOE, Zarrías and lawyer Ismael Oliver to know if the party paid Leire through third partiesA judge has initiated a separate economic investigation in the Leire Díez case, requesting information on bank accounts linked to Spain’s ruling socialist party (PSOE), as well as those of lawyer Ismael Oliver, Gaspar Zarrías, and others. The aim is to determine whether payments made by the PSOE to these individuals were indirectly intended for Leire Díez. This follows allegations of potential financial impropriety involving the party and its associates.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about judicial actions and does not exhibit clear ideological framing, loaded language, or one-sided sourcing. It reports on legal proceedings without apparent bias toward any political side.
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