Former SEPI President and Former Socialist Party Member Detained on Corruption Charges

Both detainees, Leire Díez and Vicente Fernández, will be brought before the judicial authorities in the coming hours. Investigation sources explained to ABC that the probe revolves around Leire Díez's time at a tech company and the public contracts she may have obtained. The former president of SEPI, Vicente Fernández, has also been detained as part of this operation carried out by agents from the UCO of the Guardia Civil. The investigation, which is still ongoing, is under seal of secrecy and has been directed by Central Court of Instruction number 6 of the National Court in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. Leire Díez and Vicente Fernández are currently in the cells of the Guardia Civil Command in Tres Cantos. The Guardia Civil detained former socialist Leire Díez this Wednesday, according to investigation sources who spoke to ABC. The former socialist is being investigated by Madrid courts for alleged crimes of influence peddling and bribery after conversations were revealed in which she offered judicial benefits in exchange for sensitive information against UCO commanders and prosecutors. The crimes initially attributed to them are document falsification, fraud, embezzlement of public funds, influence peddling, and malfeasance. Moreover, the position of president of SEPI remained vacant, with an interim leader, for over two years while awaiting the dismissal of the case in which the now-detained individual was being investigated by the UCO. It turns out that this former high-ranking official requested permission from the state to work at Servinabar, the company linked to Santos Cerdán. It is also the case that the former socialist was a board member of the company Cistec Technology from October 2021 to May 2023. Leire Díez and Vicente Fernández. The former president of SEPI held the position until October 2019, when he had to resign due to the Aznalcóllar case. In parallel, Leire Díez served as head of communications at Enusa from October 2018 to October 2021. Fernández is considered one of the trusted men of the current Vice President and Minister of Finance María Jesús Montero. His position was that of an external advisor, and he took up the post in May 2021. Source: ABC. New detentions are not ruled out as the investigation progresses. The objective of the operation is alleged irregularities in public contracting, as detailed by investigation sources to ABC. The proceedings being instructed by Antonio Piña have been developed with great secrecy, and sources from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have told ABC that the operation remains open.