The wife of the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez — Begonia Gómez — has officially been charged with corruption following a years-long criminal investigation, according to a court ruling published on Monday, LETA reports citing AFP.
The investigation was conducted as part of one of several corruption cases involving the family of socialist Sánchez and his former allies, increasing pressure on his minority government.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado began the investigation in April 2024 to determine whether Gómez used her position as the Prime Minister's wife for personal gain, which she and her husband deny.
At the center of the case is the establishment and management of a chair at the Complutense University of Madrid, as well as the use of public resources and personal connections to promote private interests.
Peinado stated that sufficient evidence of criminal activity by 55-year-old Gómez was found during the investigation. A court ruling dated April 11 was published on Monday.
The judge officially charged Gómez with embezzlement, abuse of power, business corruption, and misappropriation of funds.
"The chair served as a means for the private professional development of the person under investigation," the judge wrote in the ruling.
The court must now decide whether Gómez will be tried.
Gómez, who is on an official visit to China with Sánchez, denies any wrongdoing.
Sánchez called the accusations against his wife an attempt by right-wing politicians to undermine his government. Opposition parties have called for his resignation.
The case is based on a complaint filed by an anti-corruption organization linked to far-right circles.
The Prime Minister's brother, David Sánchez, is under investigation in a separate case related to influence peddling concerning his employment at the provincial council of Badajoz, which is run by socialists.
Former Minister of Transport of Sánchez's government, José Luis Ábalos, appeared in court this month in a bribery case related to government contracts.
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