It’s reckoning time in Madrid.
Few heads of government anywhere in the world are so surrounded by corruption scandals, investigations, and prosecutions as Spain’s Pedro Sánchez.
By now, his brother, many of his top aides, his predecessor, and even his wife are all allegedly involved in wrongdoing.
Yesterday (21), it arose that the Spanish Prime Minister’s wife, Begoña Gómez, will have to stand trial on charges of influence peddling and embezzlement.
Politico reported:
“Investigating Judge Juan Carlos Peinado on Monday ordered Gómez and Cristina Álvarez, her aide at La Moncloa, the prime minister’s office, to face trial after Madrid’s Provincial Court cleared the way in July, Spanish media reported.
The case centers on accusations that Gómez used her relationship to advance her career and co-direct a program at Madrid’s Complutense University, while also using public resources and government staff for private interests. Gómez denies wrongdoing.”
“The proceedings are the latest in a scandal-riddled year for Socialist leader Sánchez. Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero recently faced questions over a €53-million pandemic bailout, while Socialist heavyweight Santos Cerdán was investigated in a public-contract kickback probe involving former minister José Luis Ábalos. Both men deny wrongdoing.”
Bloomberg reported:
“Gómez must face trial because Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who oversaw the criminal investigation, found ‘reasonable indications of criminal conduct’, according to a decision filed Monday. These indications are strong enough for a jury to have to decide whether crimes were committed, Peinado said.
The scandal involving Gómez has rocked Spanish politics for more than two years, with the government and Sánchez repeatedly denying any wrongdoing and saying that the investigation is part of a broader political attack against him and his administration. The premier and his Socialist Party have been facing mounting troubles with a series of criminal probes undermining his support among voters.”
“Peinado said Gómez took advantage of her high-profile position to secure a post at a university in Madrid and then having used the post to channel public funds into a software development project.
Gómez is accused of misappropriation of public funds for having a personal assistant, paid by the government, help with tasks related to her private activities. The aide will also stand trial.”