Former judge admits spying on magistrate investigating president’s brother, reveals personal details

Luis José Sáenz de Tejada, a former judge removed from the judicial career in December 2022, confessed that he held confidential details about magistrate Beatriz Biedma, the judge leading the investigation into musician David Sánchez, brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. He admitted knowing Biedma’s private address and the school attended by her minor daughters. Sáenz de Tejada linked the source of this information to a network surrounding the criminal figure known as ‘El Gitano’, with businessman Javier Pérez Dolset acting as intermediary, and cited meetings in a Cádiz apartment and a café near Hotel Río in Badajoz where surveillance footage was discussed.

He claimed the motive was to “give a scare” to the magistrate, though the intermediary refused. The revelations prompted Vox to file a legal complaint against Leire Díez, who is already charged with organized crime, influence peddling, bribery and secret disclosure. Authorities allege the plot aimed to neutralize corruption investigations affecting the political and familial circle of the head of government. The case also mentions Cintia Rocho, widow of a slain drug trafficker, who said she was contacted by the same circle but denied involvement.