Okdiario Threatens Legal Action Over Payments to Koldo Garcia's Lawyer
Digital outlet demands retraction regarding 242,000 euro payments linked to a corruption case.
1Legal Threat Over Payments
Okdiario, directed by Eduardo Inda, has threatened elDiario.es with legal action unless it retracts a report regarding payments made to Koldo Garcia's lawyer. The dispute centers on 242,000 euros paid by the digital outlet's parent company, Dos Mil Palabras, to attorney Leticia de la Hoz for legal services rendered.
2Disputed Invoice Documentation
The report by elDiario.es relied on invoices submitted by De la Hoz to the National Court. These documents explicitly labeled the payments as fees for legal advice and procedures for Koldo Garcia. De la Hoz, currently implicated in the separate 'Leire case', provided these records while explaining the funding of her defense.
3Conflicting Financial Claims
Okdiario now claims the information is false, asserting the payments were actually for the acquisition of audiovisual rights and intellectual property from Garcia. They argue a contract for these rights was signed prior to the payments, despite the invoices originally stating the purpose was legal counsel and defense-related professional fees.
4Context of the Payments
The first invoice was dated November 27, 2025, the same day Garcia gave interviews to Okdiario. During these sessions, Garcia made unsubstantiated allegations against Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and other government officials. These interviews occurred while Garcia was facing a nearly 20-year prison sentence for corruption-related crimes involving former minister Jose Luis Abalos.
5Intimidation and Surveillance
Following the publication of the report, elDiario.es reported that its director, Ignacio Escolar, and deputy director, Jose Manuel Romero, were confronted by an individual after meeting with De la Hoz. The man claimed he was photographing them under orders from Eduardo Inda, and those images were subsequently published by Okdiario.
6Broader Corruption Investigation
The documentation regarding these payments remains under review by the National Court as part of the ongoing Leire case. Prosecutors and the presiding judge are evaluating how this financial connection impacts the broader judicial proceedings. The case continues to draw scrutiny due to the intersection of media, legal defense, and political corruption.
7Allegations of Political Bribery
Koldo Garcia has recently alleged that he was offered one million euros by an attorney linked to the Popular Party (PP) to provide false testimony against the current government. These claims, supported by audio recordings, have prompted the PSOE to consider filing a formal complaint regarding the alleged attempt to manipulate judicial testimony.
8Implications for Media Ethics
This conflict highlights the tension between investigative journalism and the potential for media outlets to influence legal outcomes through financial arrangements. As Okdiario prepares for potential litigation to protect its reputation, the case underscores the complexities of transparency in legal funding and the role of digital media in high-profile political scandals.