'Koldo Case': They ask the judge to summon the woman who claimed to have brought 90,000 euros to Ferraz

The National Court has ordered Judge Ismael Moreno to summon Carmen Pano and her daughter as witnesses. The woman had stated to a digital media outlet in 2020 that she brought 90,000 euros to the PSOE headquarters in Madrid.

These testimonies are related to the alleged receipt of commissions in public mask contracts during the pandemic.

Judge Moreno, who is leading the investigation, initially refused to summon both, as their statements contradicted a police report based on digital evidence. However, the second section of the Criminal Division has overturned this decision following an appeal filed by the popular prosecution, the party Iustitia Europa. This new order emphasizes that the statements of Pano and her daughter may be key to clarifying the facts.

The case revolves around the collection of illicit commissions in public mask contracts during 2020. A scheme involving several investigated individuals, including former minister José Luis Ábalos, who is charged in the Supreme Court. According to the appeal, the witnesses' statements may provide relevant information about the connections with some of the main individuals under investigation in the case.

In October 2020, Carmen Pano stated in a digital media outlet that she had been commissioned by the alleged intermediary Víctor de Aldama. To bring a significant sum of money to the PSOE headquarters in Madrid.

This delivery of 90,000 euros was allegedly linked to an attempt by the company Villafuel to obtain the hydrocarbon operator license. The woman's accusation was presented as a key piece in the investigation.

However, Judge Moreno, upon analyzing the available evidence, found that Pano's testimony contradicted the police report that had been gathered from the seized devices. The digital report indicated that there was not enough evidence to corroborate the woman's claims.

Carmen Pano's statements caused a great stir. PSOE replied by filing a conciliation lawsuit, arguing that the claims were unfounded. The political formation also considered the possibility of filing a lawsuit for slander, although, for the moment, this hasn't been formalized.

For its part, the Popular Party had already filed a lawsuit for illegal financing, which included the alleged money deliveries in Ferraz, the PSOE headquarters. However, this lawsuit was dismissed by the National Court, which caused more uncertainty about the veracity of Pano's statements and the scope of the evidence gathered.

The appeal by the popular prosecution has been essential for the National Court to reconsider the judge's initial position. The Criminal Division maintains that the witnesses' statements may provide valuable information for the investigation.

This change of decision underscores the importance of Pano's and her daughter's testimony in the Koldo case. Involving politicians and businessmen related to mask contracts during the health crisis.