Quick Summary
- 1Patricia Uriz testified before the National Court that the PSOE party consistently paid expenses in cash.
- 2The system involved Koldo García submitting tickets for reimbursements, which were then paid out from party treasury funds.
- 3This testimony provides a direct account of the internal financial mechanisms within the party's organization secretariat.
- 4The revelation adds a new dimension to the ongoing judicial investigation into party finances.
Courtroom Revelations
The former partner of Koldo García has provided a detailed account of the PSOE's internal financial practices during a testimony before the Audiencia Nacional. Patricia Uriz appeared before the judge on January 20, 2026, to explain the mechanics of how party expenses were handled and reimbursed.
Her statements shed light on a system where cash transactions formed the backbone of the party's expense management. The testimony marks a significant moment in the ongoing judicial proceedings, offering a firsthand perspective on the operational procedures within the party's organizational structure.
The Cash System
According to Uriz's testimony, the PSOE operated a consistent cash-based reimbursement system for all party-related expenses. This system covered various expenditures including meals and travel costs, which were routinely settled in physical currency rather than through electronic transfers or checks.
The process followed a clear sequence of events:
- Expenses were incurred by party members or staff
- Receipts and tickets were collected as documentation
- Koldo García was responsible for submitting these documents
- The party treasury would then issue cash reimbursements
This methodology created a direct pipeline between the party's organizational secretariat and its treasury department, with García serving as the key intermediary in the transaction chain.
"The party always paid the expenses, like meals or trips, in cash, after delivering the tickets."— Patricia Uriz, Former Partner of Koldo García
Key Players
The testimony places Koldo García at the center of this financial operation. As a former advisor to José Luis Ábalos, García held a position that allowed him to manage and process expenses for the party's organization secretariat. His role involved collecting documentation and facilitating the reimbursement process.
Patricia Uriz, as his former partner, provided this information directly to the judicial authorities. Her testimony offers an insider's view of the party's financial practices during the period in question. The Audiencia Nacional is now tasked with evaluating these statements as part of its broader investigation into party finances.
The party always paid the expenses, like meals or trips, in cash, after delivering the tickets.
Judicial Context
The testimony was delivered before a judge of the Audiencia Nacional, Spain's high court with jurisdiction over serious crimes and corruption cases. This judicial body is currently examining various aspects of party finances and the mechanisms used for expense management and reimbursement.
The cash-based system described by Uriz raises questions about transparency and documentation in political party accounting. The Audiencia Nacional will need to assess whether these practices complied with relevant financial regulations and anti-corruption laws.
The investigation continues to unfold as more witnesses and evidence come forward, with this testimony representing a crucial piece of the larger puzzle being assembled by judicial authorities.
Broader Implications
The revelation of a cash-based reimbursement system within a major political party touches on fundamental questions of financial transparency and accountability. Such systems, while not inherently illegal, can create challenges for tracking and verifying expenditures.
The PSOE party's internal practices, as described in court, may have implications for how political organizations manage their finances more broadly. The testimony could potentially influence future regulations regarding party accounting and expense reporting.
As the judicial process continues, the focus will likely remain on establishing the full scope and context of these financial practices, and determining whether any laws were violated in their implementation.
What Comes Next
The testimony from Patricia Uriz adds a concrete, firsthand account to the ongoing judicial proceedings. The Audiencia Nacional will continue to evaluate this and other evidence as it determines whether any legal violations occurred.
For the PSOE, this testimony represents another chapter in a series of investigations into party finances. The party's response to these revelations and any potential changes to its internal financial procedures will be closely watched.
The case continues to develop, with judicial authorities expected to issue further statements as their investigation progresses and more evidence is examined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patricia Uriz testified that the PSOE party operated a cash-based reimbursement system for expenses. She explained that Koldo García would collect tickets for expenses like meals and travel, then receive cash reimbursements from the party treasury.
The testimony provides a firsthand account of the PSOE's internal financial practices. It offers specific details about how expenses were managed and reimbursed, which is relevant to the ongoing judicial investigation into party finances.
The Audiencia Nacional will continue to evaluate this testimony as part of its broader investigation. Judicial authorities will assess whether these practices complied with relevant laws and regulations regarding political party finances.
Koldo García is a former advisor to José Luis Ábalos who was responsible for managing and processing expenses for the PSOE's organization secretariat, according to the testimony.
