First Lady of Spain Faces More Criminal Charges
The wife of Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez faces a new judicial indictment that further aggravates her legal situation. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who is leading the case, has decided to expand the investigation against Begoña Gómez for an alleged embezzlement of public funds, raising the number of criminal offenses under scrutiny to five.
The investigation revolves around Gómez’s alleged use of her advisor at the Moncloa Palace, the Prime Minister’s official residence, for matters related to her private business activities and the university chair she directed at Madrid’s Complutense University. Emails signed by her assistant and testimonies from businessmen involved in developing an academic software project—later registered under Gómez’s name—led the judge to conclude that there may have been a diversion of public resources for private benefit.
Sánchez’s wife is scheduled to testify on September 11th, one day after her personal secretary appears before the court. So far, Gómez has only answered her lawyer’s questions and maintained a line of defense based on denial of any irregularities. At the same time, her legal team has unsuccessfully attempted to have the case dismissed or the judge removed.
With this new development, Gómez now faces five judicial proceedings. She is under investigation for influence peddling, due to the recommendation letters she issued in favor of a close acquaintance in public tenders. Following meetings with major companies such as Spanish airline Air Europa, she is also accused of having had a role in the €475 million public bailout of the airline. In addition, she faces charges of misappropriation for registering software developed by Complutense University in her name.. Another charge is professional intrusion, for using her position as the prime minister’s wife in private activities that appeared to carry institutional backing. And now, embezzlement of public funds, for the use of her official Moncloa advisor for personal purposes.
The complex investigation into Begoña Gómez’s dealings began in April 2024 after a complaint filed by the union Manos Limpias and has since expanded with new evidence. Associations such as Hazte Oír and the Vox party have joined as parties to popular prosecution.
One of the central elements of the scrutiny has been that Gómez used use of an official government email account during her interactions, despite not holding any public office, which reinforces suspicions that she relied on state structures to advance her network of contacts and projects.
What was initially dismissed by the government as a campaign of disinformation has turned into a judicial process moving forward with the backing of Madrid’s Provincial Court. As a new hearing approaches, the investigation suggests that both the exploitation of the university software and the use of Moncloa resources are the most sensitive points and could ultimately determine whether the prime minister’s wife is formally prosecuted.
