Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, has been charged with corruption after a two-year criminal investigation, according to a court ruling — the charges include embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings, and misappropriation of funds.

Gómez Faces Accusations of Misusing Public Resources

Gómez is accused of using her relationship to advance her private career through a position at Madrid’s Complutense University — she is also accused of using public resources to advance private interests, according to the court ruling.

The judge cited Gómez’s lack of relevant qualifications as evidence of the misuse of her position, while she was allegedly responsible for directing a master’s degree course in business studies at the prestigious university.

Gómez denies the charges, while Sánchez has dismissed the allegations as an attempt by the right-wing to undermine his coalition, while the charges are part of a broader investigation into alleged corruption and influence peddling.

Anti-Corruption Group Behind the Probe

The complaint against Gómez was raised by anti-corruption campaigners Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), led by a man linked to the far-right called Miguel Bernad — the group has presented a litany of unsuccessful lawsuits against politicians in the past.

When the investigation started. Sánchez suspended public duties for five days to ‘stop and reflect’ on whether to remain in the job due to ‘the mud’ that he said the right and far-right were trying to drag politics into. He described the situation as a ‘strategy of harassment’ aimed at weakening him politically and personally targeting his wife.

Sánchez and Gómez are currently on an official visit to China. The visit has not been affected by the ongoing legal proceedings, according to government sources.

Brother Indicted in Separate Probe

Separately, the prime minister’s brother, David Sánchez, has been indicted in an investigation into alleged influence peddling tied to his hiring by a regional government. The charges are part of a broader probe into corruption and misuse of public resources.

Earlier this month, Sánchez’s former transport minister, José Luis Ábalos, went on trial over allegations he received kickbacks on sales of Personal Protective Equipment to the Spanish government during the Covid pandemic. The trial is expected to last several weeks.

The charges against Gómez and the ongoing investigations into other members of Sánchez’s inner circle have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest within the government. The court will now decide whether she will stand trial for the alleged crimes.

Gómez has not yet been formally charged in court but is under investigation. The legal process is expected to take several months, with the outcome likely to have political implications for the ruling party.

The case has drawn significant public attention, with many questioning the potential impact on the government’s stability. The charges are the latest in a series of legal actions against high-profile figures in Spanish politics.