Spanish PM’s Wife Charged in Corruption Probe

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s wife, Begona Gomez, has been formally charged with corruption following a prolonged investigation, according to a court ruling released on Monday.

The case is part of a wider set of corruption-related probes involving individuals linked to the prime minister, which have added political pressure on his minority coalition government.

A judge, Juan Carlos Peinado, launched the investigation in April 2024 to examine allegations that Gomez may have used her position as the prime minister’s wife to secure personal advantages. Both Gomez and Sanchez have denied any wrongdoing.

The inquiry focuses on her involvement with a university chair at Madrid’s Complutense University, which she co-directed, and alleged misuse of public resources and professional networks for private benefit.

In a ruling dated April 11, the judge said there were sufficient grounds to suggest possible criminal conduct, noting that the investigation had uncovered indicators pointing in that direction.

He formally charged Gomez with embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings, and misappropriation of funds.

The judge wrote that the academic programme in question “served as a means of private professional development for the person under investigation.” The court will now determine whether the case proceeds to trial.

Gomez, who is currently accompanying the prime minister on an official visit to China, has repeatedly denied all allegations. Sanchez has rejected the accusations against his wife, describing them as politically motivated efforts by opposition forces to weaken his government. 

Opposition parties, however, have called for his resignation.

The investigation was triggered by a complaint from an anti-corruption organisation with links to far-right groups.

The prime minister is also facing additional political pressure, as his brother, David Sanchez, has been indicted in a separate influence-peddling case, while a former close ally and ex-transport minister is currently on trial over alleged corruption tied to public contracts.