The PP spokesperson in Les Corts, Nando Pastor, has denounced the dismissal of Juan José Ronda as deputy delegate of the AEAT in the Valencian Community and the appointment of Jaime Sanz, the inspector who signed the audits on Zapatero's partner.
The Popular Party has taken the leadership change at the Valencian Tax Agency into the political arena, directly linking it to the judicial investigation of former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The PP spokesperson in Les Corts, Nando Pastor, demanded explanations from the Minister of Finance, Arcadi España, on Saturday for what he describes as “strange” movements that, in his opinion, aim to obstruct justice.
According to Pastor's statement, the Official State Bulletin (BOE) published on Friday the dismissal of Juan José Ronda Garay as Special Deputy Delegate of the Special Delegation of the Valencian Community of the AEAT. He has been replaced by Jaime Sanz Espert, who, according to the PP, was the regional inspector who signed the tax audits on Julio Martínez, Zapatero's partner according to the documentation provided by the Treasury to Judge José Luis Calama.
A dismissal that the PP links to the investigation into Zapatero
For Pastor, the sequence of events leaves no room for doubt: “The Sánchez government, Diana Morant, and Arcadi España punish and persecute in the Treasury those who collaborate with the investigation into Zapatero's frontman, while rewarding those who turned a blind eye for years and allowed Julito not to file a declaration since 2020.” The PP leader has described the situation as a “huge scandal.”
The PP maintains that Ronda Garay was responsible for the investigation of the so-called “Zapatero case” and that his dismissal is a maneuver to remove an uncomfortable official. In parallel, the promotion of Jaime Sanz —the inspector who, according to the PP, did not act with due diligence in the audits of the former president's partner— reinforces the thesis of a purge within the Valencian Tax Agency.
Pastor has assured that his group will “go to the end” to uncover “the real reasons” for the change. He has also asked whether the general secretary of the PSPV-PSOE and minister, Diana Morant, had any involvement in the decision, and whether the government delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, is “involved in these shady movements.”
The opposition calls it a “mafia gang” and demands appearances
The tone of Nando Pastor's statements has been particularly harsh. “What more has to happen for this gang of criminals to continue manipulating public institutions with impunity to evade justice and hide all their shady dealings? They have no shame and do not know what it is,” he stated.
The PP spokesperson added that, although he understands that Zapatero is the “political father” of Diana Morant, “it is intolerable that socialist leaders dedicate themselves to putting all possible obstacles in the way of justice, punishing, threatening to open files, rewarding their lackeys, extorting others, dismissing, purging those who do not get corrupted, like a true mafia gang.”
The Valencian PP has already announced that they will request the appearance of the Minister of Finance and the government delegate in Les Corts to provide explanations regarding this leadership change. They have also indicated that they could take the case to the Prosecutor's Office if they detect signs of misconduct or preferential treatment.
What this change means for taxpayers and the judicial investigation
Beyond the political accusations, the leadership change at the Valencian Tax Agency has practical consequences. The dismissal of Juan José Ronda as deputy delegate means that the person coordinating the inspection actions linked to the Zapatero case is leaving his position. This could delay or redirect ongoing investigations, although sources from the Treasury consulted by this outlet assure that the procedures continue independently of the positions.
For the average taxpayer, the change does not have a direct impact on their daily procedures, but it does generate uncertainty about the technical independence of the agency in the Valencian Community. The opposition has already warned that such movements can erode trust in the impartiality of the Tax Agency.
Judge José Luis Calama continues to instruct the case against Julio Martínez, the alleged frontman of Zapatero. The documentation sent by the Treasury was key to opening the investigation, and now the PP fears that the change in positions seeks to hinder new information contributions. So far, neither the Ministry of Finance nor the Government Delegation in the Valencian Community has officially commented on the PP's accusations.
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