Spanish PM’s wife to face trial over influence peddling, embezzlement allegations
Begoña Gómez is accused of using public resources and government staff to advance her career.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, is scheduled to go on trial for charges of influence peddling and embezzlement. Investigating Judge Juan Carlos Peinado ruled on Monday that Gómez and her aide, Cristina Álvarez, must stand trial following the Madrid Provincial Court's decision in July, according to Spanish media outlets.
The case revolves around allegations that Gómez exploited her connection to her husband for career advancement and to oversee a program at Madrid's Complutense University, while misusing public resources and government personnel for personal gain. Gómez denies any wrongdoing. This legal battle follows a tumultuous year for Sánchez's Socialist party, with former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero questioned over a €53 million pandemic bailout and Socialist leader Santos Cerdán under investigation for a public-contract kickback probe involving former minister José Luis Ábalos, both of whom deny any wrongdoing.
Gómez's trial will now move to a higher court to set a hearing date. Spain's public prosecutor, who asserts the evidence does not meet the criteria for a criminal offense, and her defense teams are seeking acquittals. An ultra-Catholic group, Hazte Oír, has filed a private prosecution against Gómez seeking 13 years in prison. Her lawyer, Jaime Campaner, argues that Hazte Oír's indictment contains "serious technical defects" incompatible with the law and "irremediable" at this stage, urging the case to be dismissed.
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