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A Spanish court has formally charged the wife of President Pedro Sánchez, Begoña Gómez, with multiple corruption-related offences following a two-year investigation led by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn political and public attention since it began in April 2024.

 

The ruling accuses Gómez of embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds. The case now moves towards a potential trial by jury, with the parties given five days to submit arguments on whether oral proceedings should formally begin.

 

Judge Peinado, who heads Madrid’s Court of Instruction Number 41 and is due to retire in September, opted to conclude the investigation at this stage rather than extend proceedings further. According to legal sources, this decision came despite requests from private prosecutors to continue the inquiry.

 

The investigation centres on allegations that Gómez used her position as the wife of President Pedro Sánchez to advance her professional career, particularly her role linked to the Complutense University of Madrid, where she co-directed a master’s programme. The judge points to what he describes as a lack of relevant qualifications and suggests that public decisions may have been influenced in ways that benefited her academic position.

 

A key element of the case involves the hiring of an advisor, Cristina Álvarez, who is also among those charged, alongside businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés. The judge believes there may have been misuse of public funds in employing the advisor to assist both Gómez’s official duties at Moncloa Palace and her private professional activities.

 

In his ruling, Peinado identifies influence peddling as the central allegation, arguing that other suspected offences stem from it. He also highlights meetings related to Gómez’s university role that reportedly took place at the Moncloa Palace, suggesting this reinforces the case for possible irregular conduct.

 

The original complaint was filed by Manos Limpias, a controversial far-rightwing organisation led by Miguel Bernad, which has previously brought a number of unsuccessful legal actions against political figures. The complaint was reportedly based largely on press reports.

 

Gómez has consistently denied all allegations. Meanwhile, Pedro Sánchez has dismissed the case as part of a politically motivated campaign by right-wing and far-right groups aimed at undermining his government. When the investigation first became public, he temporarily stepped back from official duties for five days, citing what he described as a strategy of “harassment” targeting both him and his wife.

 

The case comes amid other ongoing legal issues involving figures linked to the president. His brother, David Sánchez, has also been indicted in a separate investigation concerning alleged influence peddling, while former transport minister José Luis Ábalos is currently on trial over accusations of receiving kickbacks related to personal protective equipment contracts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Gómez and the president are currently on an official visit to China as the legal process continues to develop in Spain.

 

Image: lawmoment