Summary
A prosecutor in Spain has requested that an investigating judge close the corruption inquiry into Begoña Gomez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, according to a statement from the prosecutor's office. The probe was opened after complaints from far-right parties and pressure groups that sought a prison sentence for Gomez of up to 24 years. The judge presiding over the matter, Juan Carlos Peinado, must now decide whether to accept the request to dismiss or to forward the case to a jury trial in another court.
Details of the case
The allegations focus on claims that Gomez used her position as the prime minister's spouse to obtain sponsors for a university master's programme she oversaw, allegedly sidestepping a required public tender process. The formal accusations lodged by supporting groups include influence peddling, corruption in private business, misappropriation and misuse of public funds. Those charges are backed by the far-right party Vox and several right-wing pressure organisations, among them Hazte Oir.
In a filing submitted this week, the groups pushing the case requested a custodial sentence of up to 24 years for Gomez. Gomez has denied any wrongdoing.
Procedural crossroads
Investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who is nearing retirement, previously described the conduct alleged in his last ruling as more consistent with an "absolute monarchy" than a modern constitutional democracy. With the prosecutor now asking for the probe to be closed, Peinado faces two options: accept the prosecutor's recommendation and end the investigation, or order that the case proceed to trial before a jury in a different court. The prosecutor said that if Peinado allows the proceedings to continue, the office will seek Gomez's acquittal during the trial, as stated in a Wednesday statement.
Political context
The accusations against Gomez represent the most serious legal challenge confronting the Socialist prime minister and his family. Sanchez briefly contemplated resignation in April 2024 after the investigating judge opened the probe into Gomez. He has publicly defended his family, asserting the cases are politically motivated and driven by far-right opponents. Separately, Sanchez's brother, David Sanchez, is due to stand trial in May on unrelated allegations of influence peddling.
Outlook
The immediate outcome now depends on Peinado's ruling. If he permits the matter to continue to trial, the prosecutor has indicated it will argue for Gomez's acquittal in court. If Peinado accepts the dismissal request, the formal probe into Gomez would conclude without a jury trial. The article reflects only the information contained in official filings and statements.