Spanish PM's wife will face jury trial over embezzlement charges, court rules
The court kept the two most serious charges and said no appeals are possible, deepening pressure on Pedro Sánchez’s government.
- On Thursday, a Spanish court ruled that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife Begoña Gómez would face trial for alleged influence peddling and embezzlement. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado maintained two charges while dismissing corruption in business dealings and misappropriation accusations.
- Judge Peinado's investigation, launched in April 2024, examined whether Gómez exploited her position as the prime minister's wife for private gain—allegations she and Sanchez deny. The case centred on Gómez's role at Madrid's Complutense University and alleged misuse of public resources and personal connections.
- Gómez's two-year legal saga is one of several corruption scandals jeopardising Sanchez's government. On Tuesday, a court banned his brother David Sanchez from public office for nine years after convicting him of administrative misconduct in creating a tailor-made local government job.
- The Popular Party and far-right Vox have seized on the cascading scandals to demand Sanchez's resignation and early elections. The PP stated the situation is 'unprecedented in Spanish democracy and inconceivable in any European democracy.'
- With no avenue for appeal, Gómez now faces a jury trial after the court lifted her travel restrictions, marking a critical juncture for the Sanchez government. The two-year legal saga will proceed with mounting pressure amid multiple corruption cases advancing simultaneously.
101 Articles
101 Articles
Corruption trial for Spain PM's wife to go ahead following brother's conviction
A Spanish court on Thursday confirmed Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife Begoña Gómez will face trial for alleged influence peddling and embezzlement, just days after a court banned the premier's brother from holding public office.
Spain PM Pedro Sánchez's Wife Ordered to Stand Trial as Corruption Pressure Mounts
Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, will stand trial before a citizen jury on charges of influence peddling and embezzlement after the Madrid Provincial Court rejected her appeal, in the latest legal setback for Spain's Socialist government. The court ruled on Thursday that Gómez must face trial on the two charges while dismissing separate accusations of corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds. I…
Spanish prime minister's wife to appear before jury over allegations of abuse of influenceBegonia Gomez, wife of Spain's prime minister, will appear before a jury on charges of abuse of influence and embezzlement. Her defense filed an appeal, calling the case politically motivated.
At the same time, the court lifted the previous ban on Gomez leaving the country. Her passport was returned and her obligation to regularly appear in court was lifted. Some of the charges were dismissed. The court upheld the charges against Begona Gomez and her assistant, Cristina Alvarez, for abusing influence and embezzlement. At the same time, it dismissed the charges of business corruption and misappropriation of property. According to gover…
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