A Madrid judge has formally accused Begoña Gómez, spouse of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, of embezzlement, influence peddling, business corruption, and misuse of funds following a two-year probe. The 55-year-old is alleged to have leveraged her position to obtain and oversee a role at Complutense University in Madrid, while exploiting public assets and contacts for personal gain. The judge, Juan Carlos Peinado, also implicated Gómez’s assistant, Cristina Álvarez, and entrepreneur Juan Carlos Barrabés in the matter. All parties involved have rejected the allegations. The inquiry began after a filing by Manos Limpias, an organization with far-right affiliations known for legal actions against perceived threats to Spain’s democracy. Sánchez has consistently labeled the accusations against his wife as unfounded and driven by political motives, criticizing opponents in politics and media for targeting his family and doubting judicial neutrality. In a 39-page decision, Peinado indicated that certain beneficial public actions for the university position might have stemmed from Gómez’s influential ties, particularly since Sánchez assumed leadership of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party and later the premiership. The judge noted activities at the Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s residence and office, reminiscent of outdated authoritarian practices absent from modern Spain. Sánchez, who previously remarked on judges engaging in politics and politicians seeking justice, expressed faith in the system during a trip to China, stating he expects fair resolution and that events will clarify the truth. Peinado, set to retire next month, allowed five days for responses before courts determine if Gómez proceeds to trial. This development occurs amid challenges for Sánchez, including an upcoming trial for his brother David on influence-peddling charges related to a job allegedly tailored for him by a socialist-controlled council in Badajoz in 2017, when Sánchez led the party nationally. David denies the claims. Additionally, two former high-ranking officials from Sánchez’s administration are on trial for suspected corruption involving kickbacks on pandemic-era medical supply contracts. Ex-transport minister José Luis Ábalos, his aide Koldo García, and businessman Víctor de Aldama face charges; Ábalos and García deny involvement and risk 24 and 19 years in prison, respectively, while de Aldama, who confessed, faces seven years.
