Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish Prime Minister’s (PM) wife, Begona Gomez, have been formally charged with corruption. According to a court ruling that was published on Monday after a years-long criminal investigation.
This is just one of the several corruption cases that have embroiled the Socialist leader’s family and former allies. This has put pressure on his minority coalition government.
The investigation was opened in April 2024 by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado to determine whether the PM’s wife had exploited her position as the wife of the PM for her own private gain. The claim was denied by her and the Prime Minister.
The case is based on the management and creation of a chair at Madrid’s Complutense University that was co-directed by Gomez. The case alleges that personal connections and public resources were used to advance private interests.
It was said by Peinado that his investigation had found sufficient indications of criminal conduct by Gomez. The ruling was dated April 11 and made public on Monday.
Gomez has now been formally charged with embezzlement, peddling influence, misappropriation of funds and corruption in business dealings, the ruling added.
The Judge wrote, “The chair served as a means of private professional development for the person under investigation.”
It has not yet been decided by the courts whether Gomez will stand trial.
Gomez, who is on an official visit to China with Sanchez, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The Prime Minister Sanchez has however dismissed the allegations against his wife as politically motivated and as an attempt by the right wing to undermine his government. The parties sitting in opposition are now calling for his resignation.
The case originally originated from a complaint that was filed by an anti-corruption group. The group is known to have ties with the far right.
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