Background and Context
Begoña Gómez, wife of Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Spanish Government, failed to appear for a court hearing on Monday regarding corruption and influence-peddling charges. Her lawyer represented her instead, as reported by judicial sources.
Previous Citations and Legal Strategy
Begoña Gómez was previously represented by her lawyer on September 27 during a similar citation from Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who intended to request her appearance before a jury for another case of misappropriation of public funds. In both instances, Gómez invoked a directive allowing her absence and representation by her attorney for formal citations.
Since April 2024, Gómez has been under investigation for corruption and influence-peddling. She previously led a management master’s program at a university, and Judge Peinado suspects she used her husband’s position to secure funding, particularly from businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés.
Expanding Investigation and Allegations
Judge Peinado also proposes trying Barrabés and Gómez’s assistant for the same offenses. Throughout his investigation, Peinado has expanded the list of alleged crimes committed by Gómez.
This case sparked tension between the prosecution, which requested to close it, and the judge. It also caused frustration for Pedro Sánchez, who kept the nation in suspense for several days in April 2024 as he deliberated whether to resign, which he ultimately did not do.
In another aspect of the case, Peinado sought to try Gómez before a popular jury for misappropriation of public funds, which she appealed.
Peinado believes a functionary contracted by the President’s office worked for Gómez in her private activities while directing the master’s program at the Complutense University of Madrid.
Broader Implications and Additional Cases
Beyond Gómez, several individuals connected to socialist leader Pedro Sánchez are under scrutiny from the authorities, including his brother, who will soon be tried for influence-peddling.
Former Transport Minister and Sánchez’s close aide José Luis Ábalos, along with his trusted advisor Koldo García—both embroiled in a widespread bribery case linked to public contracts—have been summoned by a judge on October 15 and 16.
The magistrate aims to obtain explanations regarding a Guardia Civil report revealing suspicious financial links between the two men, potentially indicating an “illegal source of income” for Ábalos.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Begoña Gómez? Begoña Gómez is the wife of Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Spanish Government.
- What are the charges against her? Gómez is accused of corruption and influence-peddling, suspected of using her husband’s position to secure funding.
- Why did she skip the court hearing? Gómez was represented by her lawyer, invoking a directive allowing her absence during formal citations.
- Who else is under investigation? Several individuals connected to Pedro Sánchez are facing legal scrutiny, including his brother and former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos.
- What is the nature of the allegations against Ábalos? There are suspicions of illegal sources of income for Ábalos, based on a Guardia Civil report revealing questionable financial links.
