The article discusses a testimony from Álvaro Gallego about Carmen Pano delivering a large sum of money to the socialist headquarters, raising concerns over potential corruption.
On February 11, Álvaro Gallego provided testimony to Judge Santiago Pedraz at the National Court, recounting his experience of driving businesswoman Carmen Pano to the socialist party headquarters located on Ferraz Street at the end of 2020. Pano was reportedly carrying a bag containing 45,000 euros when she arrived. Less than ten minutes later, she returned without the bag, evidencing a potential financial transaction that is now under scrutiny as part of the Hidrocarburos case.
During a video conference, Gallego was questioned by both the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, Luis Pastor, and lawyer Javier María Pérez Roldán from Hazte Oír. They inquired about the visit to the PSOE headquarters, which Pano claimed involved two separate deliveries of 45,000 euros. The incident occurred after a meeting with businessman Víctor de Aldama, who is also being investigated. Gallego purportedly witnessed stacks of cash and Pano making her way into the headquarters, suggesting some level of complicity or awareness of the deliverance of these funds.
This testimony adds to the avalanche of evidence concerning financial dealings possibly involving corrupt practices within the socialist party. It raises serious questions about the funding sources of political parties in Spain, as well as the integrity of existing regulations around financial transactions in political settings. If confirmed, this case could have significant repercussions for the PSOE and influence public perception regarding corruption in political financing.
