Álvaro Gallego, driver of Carmen Pano, has stated before the Supreme Court that he saw the businesswoman get off at the PSOE headquarters on Ferraz street with an “open” bag in which “stacks of banknotes” were visible. During his testimony as a witness in the mask case, Gallego explained that the trip took place at the end of 2020 and that they previously passed through the offices of Víctor de Aldama, where, according to his account, Pano would have handled another bag with money from businessman Claudio Rivas, interested in obtaining a hydrocarbon license for his company Villafuel.
In response to these statements, PSOE sources have flatly rejected any insinuation of irregular financing linked to the Ferraz headquarters. From the party, they assure that there is no record of the receipt of cash in the described circumstances and emphasize that the accusations are part of the ongoing judicial procedure, but do not imply conclusive proof of illegality.
In this regard, from the socialist leadership they insist that “it is 100% ruled out” any illegal financing practice, distancing themselves from the statements made by the witness. However, some internal voices recognize the concern generated by the case and admit that certain people linked to the plot could have had access to party circles, which has increased the unease in the organization.
The case, which is being followed in the Supreme Court, keeps in the spotlight figures such as Víctor de Aldama, pointed out as alleged intermediary, as well as former minister José Luis Ábalos and his former advisor Koldo García. The investigation tries to clarify if a network of commissions existed in public contracts during the pandemic, as well as possible political or business connections.
