The documents seized from the alleged PSOE ‘plumber’ Leire Díez and her circle, within the framework of the case being investigated by the Audiencia Nacional, also reveal details about the modus operandi of the alleged plot in the Cerdán case. One of the seized documents, linked to a meeting at Servinabar’s headquarters in Pamplona on July 6, 2021, seems to outline a dense set of businesses or business opportunities for the controversial company —owned by Antxon Alonso, a friend of former socialist leader Santos Cerdán— which the UCO considers was used as a key vehicle to channel businesses and benefits linked to public contracts.
The document includes a reference to Tubos Reunidos (TR) —the Basque company that was raided this Thursday by order of judge Santiago Pedraz, in a secret part of the Leire case— and to a SEPI bailout that at that time “was up in the air,” but which was finally materialized just a week later. Thus, regarding TR, the document details that “the 112.8 MM € committed by SEPI are up in the air. Today, 6/Jul, despite the promise of the SEPI president, the operation will not be approved.”
Immediately afterwards, the “possibility that Antton [another spelling for Antxon Alonso, the owner of Servinabar, friend of the then PSOE Organization Secretary Santos Cerdán] confirms it before the PNV, demonstrating that he has reliable information” is noted.
And it continues by proposing a political maneuver so that —it is understood that if it takes effect— Servinabar receives some remuneration: “PNV pressure on the Government. Compensation for Servinabar? Vct [probably Vicente Fernández, then former president of SEPI and recently hired by Servinabar] has a direct line to the President of TR [Tubos Reunidos], Francisco Irauzta.”
The raids by the Civil Guard’s Central Operative Unit (UCO) this week occurred after the armed institution delivered a report on May 7 “which delves into the actions carried out” by the first three defendants in the case ―the aforementioned Leire Díez, Vicente Fernández, and Antxon Alonso, all of whom were arrested last December 10― in relation to the bailout of Tubos Reunidos.
Servinabar’s 2021 document also assigns a role to Leire Díez, who is mentioned in relation to her entry into the board of a technology company: “Leire has entered CITEC’s parent company.” According to Diario de Navarra, the self-proclaimed investigative journalist joined the company’s board a day after that meeting, when the public company Sepides acquired 25.5% of the firm. Leire’s name reappears in Servinabar’s list in reference to a possible order for “basic furniture and communications for Paseo de la Habana 137”.”
They also refer to a renewable energy project in Bardenas Reales, with notes on Red Eléctrica Española and the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). The note states that they are “waiting to see if more support is needed” and that “María Chivite and Teresa MITECO will speak directly,” possibly referring to the then head of that portfolio, Teresa Ribera.
Another reference to MITECO appears in relation to a note about the company Forestalia. “The objective is for MITECO to authorize the 400 kW transmission lines (without yet integrating them into REE) to Euskadi, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community. If authorized by the Ministry, municipal authorizations are not necessary. Vct [presumably Vicente Fernández] prepares a document for Santos [Cerdán]” and a lunch is noted for Monday, 12.
