After two years of investigation, Pedro Sanchez’s wife is officially charged with corruption

BEGOÑA Gomez, the wife of Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, has been formally charged with corruption.

Gomez was accused of bribery as well as embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds after a 2-year investigation into various aspects of her career.

The case revolves around allegations that she abused her position at Complutense University of Madrid to obtain a master’s degree in business studies.

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The investigation was opened by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado in April 2024. He wanted to find out if Gomez, as Sanchez’s widow, had used her position for private gain. She and the Prime Minister both deny it.

Peinado stated that his investigation found enough evidence of criminal conduct on the part of Gomez. The ruling, dated April 11, was made public Monday.

Peinado, although he found no proof that Gomez had directly benefited from her professional connections due to her position, claimed that businessman Juan Carlos Barrabes who was her partner on the masters courses had been given preference access to public procurements.

She can ask for the charges to be dropped if she has denied wrongdoing.

The complaint against Gomez was brought by anti-corruption activists Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), headed by Miguel Bernad. Bernad is a member of the far right.

The group has been unsuccessful in a series cases filed against politicians.

When Gomez was placed under investigation in April 2024, Pedro Sanchez took a five-day leave of absence from public duties to reflect on how to respond to what he called slurs from a ‘mud-flinging machine’ which he said comprises right-wing media outlets and conservative members of the judiciary.

Felix Bolanos accused the judge, as Justice Minister, of conducting a witchhunt which he anticipated an appeals court to overturn.

Bolanos stated, “I believe the damage done to our justice system’s reputation is irreparable in many ways.”

Gomez & Sanchez are currently in China for an official visit.

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