Lorraine Williamson
Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is to stand trial before a jury over alleged influence peddling and misuse of public funds. The decision brings an investigation lasting almost two and a half years to a close and moves one of Spain’s most politically sensitive legal cases to its next stage.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has formally opened proceedings for Begoña Gómez to stand trial over alleged influence peddling and misuse of public funds, bringing his lengthy investigation into the prime minister’s wife to an end.
Gómez will face a jury alongside Cristina Álvarez, her former assistant at La Moncloa, who is accused of misuse of public funds. The case will now pass to the Provincial Court of Madrid, which will be responsible for the next stage of proceedings and setting a date for the trial.
What is Begoña Gómez accused of?
The case centres on Gómez’s professional activities and her work connected to the Complutense University of Madrid.
According to the judge’s case against her, Gómez allegedly used what he describes as her privileged position as the wife of the prime minister in connection with her professional activities. The investigation has also examined work carried out by Álvarez while employed as an adviser at La Moncloa.
Peinado alleges that public resources were improperly used for private professional purposes. These are allegations that will now have to be tested at trial; Gómez has consistently denied wrongdoing, and her defence has sought to have the proceedings dismissed.
Almost two and a half years of investigation
The investigation began in April 2024 following a complaint filed by Manos Limpias and subsequently expanded as Peinado examined different aspects of Gómez’s professional activities.
The proceedings have attracted intense political and legal scrutiny throughout that period. Gómez’s defence and prosecutors have challenged parts of the investigation, while the Provincial Court of Madrid has intervened on several occasions to define which elements could continue.
At a preliminary hearing earlier this month, both the prosecution service and the defence continued to argue that there were insufficient grounds for a trial and sought to have the case dismissed. The popular prosecution, led by Hazte Oír, has taken the opposite position and is seeking prison sentences.
A jury will decide the case
Unlike most high-profile political corruption proceedings in Spain, the case will be heard before a jury rather than decided solely by professional judges.
Gómez is due to be tried for the alleged offences of influence peddling and misuse of public funds, while Álvarez faces the latter allegation. Opening the oral trial does not amount to a finding of guilt, and both women retain the presumption of innocence.
The decision comes shortly before Peinado is due to retire. With his investigation now concluded, responsibility for progressing the case passes to the Provincial Court of Madrid.
The Government has strongly criticised the proceedings. Ministers have continued to defend Gómez publicly, while maintaining that the courts must ultimately determine the case.
No trial date has yet been announced.